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OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 ,
MAY 1982 EDITION |
OSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum
.CTING DIRECTOR, FBI
date:
. 6/19/73
(SAC, MMEAPOLIS (157-2417) (P)
subject: JOHN TRUDELL x i W
EM - AIM ,„/t
00: LAS VEGAS tfjpr
From 2/27/73 - 5/8/73, Wounded Knee, South ^
Dakota was occupied and held forcefully by members of
: the American Indian Movement (AIM) and their supporters.
During a sear ch of the Cathol ic Church at Wounded Knee
on 5/8/73, SA I I located a typewriter case
containing various personal papers of RUSSELL C. MEANS,
a leading spokesman for the insurgents. Included in
this case were over 600 registration-type cards
(MP 70-6832-1B-182) .
The exact significance of these cards is not
known, however, current Bureau instructions are that
157 cases be opened on all individuals or names of
individuals who are associated with AIM and who may
have participated in or supported the actions of AIM
at Wounded Knee.
The Bureau has instructed that preliminary
investigation be limited to search of indices, arrest
check and canvass of informants and that office of
origin is designated as that division covering an
individual's residence. Results of investigation should
be submitted in form suitable for dissemination to the
Bureau and Minneapolis.
A card containing the following information /
was obtained during the aforementioned search: /
^_£ 9508 -/
TRUDELL, JOHN l < }
#337 Ocoyhee, NevcKfa/J? I / ' 1
(702) 757-3278
1 2 /Bureau ... .
2- Las Vegas *800102 n ^
3- Minneapolis
IWN/mbw Atf
J»jj|l0tW3. (7) ".J !
Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan
MP 157-2417
LEADS
LAS VEGAS
AT OCOYHEE, NEVADA . Will attempt to obtain
background information regarding the subject.
Will consider interviewing subject as a subject
of a Federal violation and/or witness or potential informant.
MINNEAPOLIS
AT MINNEAPOLIS. MINNESOTA. Will search indices.
AT RAPID CITY. SOUTH DAKOTA . Will search indices,
conduct arrest check ana contact informants.
This case is being worked in connection with the
Wounded Knee Special and should be handled expeditiously.
2
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10
MAY 1063 EDITION
GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum
TO : DIRE0TOR, FBI
date: August 17, 1973
FROM
HNNEAPOLIS (157-2417) (RUC)
ln‘ <!>
JOHN TRUDELL
EM - AM
00: LAS VEGAS
subject.
Enclosed herewith for Las Vegas are two photos of
Re Minneapolis letter to Bureau dated 6/19/73,
■ "was .
On 7/31/73, the records of the Rapid City Police fc
Department, Rapid City, South Dakota, and the Pen nington Cou nt^M,
Sheriff's Office, Rapid City, were reviewed by SA | | /j 4
with negative results, for any information identifiable /(/j
with captioned subject. / I
, , b6
On 8/13/73, the records of the Bureau of Indian b7c
Affairs (BIA) Census Office, Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and
the P ine Ridge P olice Department, Pine Ridge, were reviewed
by SC | | with negative results as to any information
concerning subject.
Indices of the Minneapolis FBI Office were reviewed
with negative results.
Indices of the Rapid City Command Post, Rapid City,
South Dakota, reveal the ^£llSlQ.ng information concerning^ubject :
rec-28 / 6 /'-~
In Minneapolis airtel to the Bureau, 5/22/73, captioned
"National Wounded Knee Communications Center, 208 11th Street,
Rapid City, South Dakota, 5/9/72, EM-AIA" , it was learned, on
5/9/7 2, during the execution of a Federal Searcfr-warrant on
the above Center, captioned subject was located i ns ide^the : ' Jester .
No further information available concerning thi^ n ^ ift?Us ^^' ■ /
« - Bureau / j\Jp^\jt
- Las Vegas (Encs. 2) / jf \j£
-^Minneapolis /
joto-io.— oa -^9* ^ Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan ^
MP 157-2417 .
In a letter from San Francisco to Minneapolis, 3/9/73,
San Francisco furnished a list of AIM members and sympathizers
who have come to the attention of the San Francisco Division.
Included in this list was the name JOHN TRUDELL, with the
notation "could possibly be alcatroz takeover leader; AIM
leader; and Speaker at demonstration which took place 3/7/73,
at San Francisco.
The only other information contained in the command
Post indices is a photograph of subject taken from the Wounded
Knee photograph file. There is no notation as to when or where
this photograph was taken.
The following knowledgeable sources were contacted for
any information they may possess concerning captioned subject.
The following results were obtained;
On 8/13/73,
was contacted by SA
Subject was unknown to source.
On 8/15/73, 1 | was contacted by Sa|
| Source advised subject is an AIM Leader of unknown
rank. He is militant in his beliefs. No further information
obtained .
In the absence of any further information, no further
investigation is being conducted by the Minneapolis Division,
and this matter is being placed in an RUC status.
- 2 * —
-UOCTONAL FORM NO. 10
' MAf lWJ EDITION
GSA FPMR (41 CFR) ioirii.6
UNITED STATES GO®.NM ENT
- A. • v"
DIRECTOR ,;: FBI It !! : ;
FRORt-J •]
(V SAC , ; LAS ... VEGAS (1 5 7
y \/
-i-, ; " ’ ' '
SUBJECT”
' JOHN-iRUDELL ' . 7 7 '
if . !•
.em -; aim • :•'• ■' • :
date: 9 / 27 / 73 ;
V). -/•
•H ■-.
00 r Las Vegas ' £••''' ; ; .-’V
Re Minneapolis 1 letter to ■ Bureau , 6 / 19/73 and!
8 / 17 / 73 .-; v c ti / - ).Vr.\y_ . . ; — .■ . - ,
I Duck Valley Indian Reservation, Owyhee , t. - j
.Nevada , . ' furni shed the following: ^ irif orination concerning
the subject: • • .-/ ‘V- ’• ' . ' : ,-
Oh 9 / 4 / 73 , he advised- that the subject is a
Santee Sioux Indian and. is a mdmber of the Sioux Nation..
r /U‘ r b6
b7C
b7D
' 'v He advised that- the' subject was one of- the origj
• ^ ^ 7 ^ 1 >£irticipants in the take over of " the Alcatraz Island : when
.. v p.’pt the llndiaris took over this island arid utilized it as an.
/; Indian colony .//He advised that. it. was during this period
30 V of-, time that' the- subject met ;h£s' wife MAUREEN T. MANNING,
p’ri Who is a Shoshone Indian,, who wa s born and raise d on the
V; i Duck Valiev Indian Reservation. I I stated
i ( i/- hu;ck Valley Indiari Reservation. I
that he did not know where MANNING, an
were
ivv/.'l T married.,/ but believed it M Ah / in the state of California.
*17 'f’Sc- th:. h *?: • 1 Tift; '-.iin»rt- / <C "J O < i •
1 | stated that the subject and •his
j. wife came to the Duck Valley Indian Reservation during .'£r
p 1 June , 1972 % £to take over ' the Operation of the ranch owried
' 1 , : by ARTHUR- T lillANNlNG t; ' father y 6 f MAUREEN T . MANNING , inas-
' much as- ARTRuH •HAMi{fc’:^had i ‘'bdan;'- involved; 'in an accident.
y/V- > : He stated that ARTHUR/MANNI.NG / i s"the tribal ch a irman of
/ ;ih/ /'• • the tribal counci 1 of hhe Western Shoshone Paiute Tribal /
••.-■. v GoririQ.il : of: "the Reservation •
!' '••/’. >’;• I “ I frit the r advised that the sub j ect _•-
'.*"'.** • • '• was. • i n ' W bunded Knee , Sou th Dako ta , during the u'pri sing
V-V • • tvOf the , Pine Ridge 'Indiari Reservation- and that t he, subject
' •>>•• ' vlwerit to .Wounded Knee pf idir' - to the ti me that he,
came to tt
‘.-mt
-'alley Indian
| arid.: had ho t returnee
Reservation at the time I
r- ' Bureau
. .... ^ 2 ~ cra r nento
7 1> Minneapolis !/( 15 ; 7h24i7 ) llnf o )• - 3 - Las Vegas
r l ; t - But t e • ^ fl nf 0 ) £-- -;r.y i:/ "£ ./ ( 1 - ' 157-
^.hhMikr^, 'C Buy U S. Savings Bonds Regiilarly dn the Payroll Savings Plan
was- returned to the 'reservation' after
He stated that’ the. subject arid his wife also atten-
■ ’ ded ;/t:he American Indian ilpvemenb; National Convention at
White Oakj -dfclahpma, duringJulyarid August, 1973, and - .</;
'fact, neither his wife of the subj ect has returned to ' . 7 ' ..
f th'e Duck Valley Indian Reservation.. : . • . v :
77 v ' r I went on to state that prior to the
7 U . take- over a t Wounded KnC e South Dako ta by militant Indians
' the subject | land I 1
1 | on the Duck > • , '
Valiev Indian Reservation. I I stated he based
the "reasoning for this statement on the fact of the subjects
. .marriage to / ARTHUR MANNING' s- daughter , and that- Mr., MANNlWtj'
... - 'is a tribal chairman of the Western Shoshone Paiute Indians
on .the Duck 'Valley Indian Reservation.. '
k" :. ; v : ; . ,//7 | further ‘stated that; -he belisres, ; but .
7/is not positive that the subject was instrumental; iri the
actual take over, of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in- > .
■ • 7 ; Wounded .Knee, South Dakota., ;• ... ' ... ■
' ! i/i 7 ';, . ' .. He did state 'that subject's wife was riot at ..
• . ;i :.Wo unde d ' Kne e to the best of his knowledge. , 7 ^ •.
■... ' • 7 1 further- stated that the subj ect - V
.. ..has been to the reservation since t June , 1972 off and on
but that he did spenduthe months' of November , December,
'.«'i and Jhiuary on the Duck Valley, Indian Reservation.' '../>.7/'7V : . •;••••
77; 7 V/7k- •/.• / He stated also - that the subject was arrested on .'
. V’the Duck Valley Indian Reservation on 3/16/73 on : a charge of 7 .
; '.: no driver's license. He stated the sub i ect was not finger- .
no driver's license. He stated the subject. was not finger- .
printed: by the Indian authorities as a result of this violation
and the subj ect claimed that he did not have a valid Nevada.-. 7
Ddfin/er' s;. license , buti'did p r o'duC,e... a: California driver Vs ' v
license which' had on it a Berkeley;, Calif ornia address.. 7 :
I ~| stated that this Calif ornia license was riotTk;- >7.
jyalid as it was out of date.:. He stated that on 3/16/73, 7 the : .
subject ; paid $25 fine concerning this, matter, . ; ?V .77 ./r.
; ./ -r. ... From information: obtained from records of the .
Indian Police at the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, JOHN
TRUDELL is described as follows:. v • ' i"./-/ :
Race
Sex
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Height
Weight
Hair >
Residence
. • -American Indian ( 4/ 4 Sioux bipod) .
•Maid • : vr / , - .
; ^;./2/15/46 fV;
' v Omaha , >Nebraska V
-"5 1 7’’’' -.
pi 48 rjjounds . .. . --. 4 * .-/•/./; V.' >, :
' • Brown v : ... v :
-Black •/ -'’V --v •.•'•••
-.. /PvOi Box-- 337 , '
.' -Owyhee:,. Nevada 4 '' *
1 further stated that the snhier.t h^i
[
] the Duck Valley Indian Reservations Owyhee, Nevada.
I
- > b6
. b7C
■ b7D
Mrs. f
_ .. . ier , Nevada Highway /
Patrol, Elko, Nevada, advised on 9/11/73, that upon sendirig ‘
an. inquiry to Carson City, Nevada, to the driver’ s license ;
division, that. JOHN TRUDELL does not have a permanent V; v
authorized Nevada driver’s license on file with the Driver’s.
License .. Divis ion , DMV , Car s on C i ty / Nevada
; She informed 'that the subject’ s wife MAUREEN TRUDELL
\or MAUREEN T. MANNING, does not have Nevada drivers license .
issued to; her at the present time on file' at the DMV, • /
Driver 's /License Division; /She stated that : MAUREEN T . MANNING '
did have a Neyada driver's, license which expired- during /il.; ff
; 1972, and ’information- on file reflects.; tha t . MAUREEN T .jf MANN I NG ;T
is described as follows : v B
MU*
■ Sex - ■ '
Race
Date of Birth
'/Place of Birth-
Height ; -I.
.Weight : >
Ha-ir; '-■/
.•Eyes; v . ... .’
Resifence '
I tf* ‘ V2
Famale ' W T';
American Indian''
. 1 / 1 8/50 > . .-. .. ; 7 >-
Owyhee ,- Nevada - V" -
:5 * a" •••'■ -,v • ' ■ r./,-; :
1 20. pounds v
Black
,B r own
■' -IV
P.0. Box 117, Owyhee, Nevada V- v ?7.
-V3\
■* ‘ . V • / . ■
_ Auto Re gistration Division , DMV,.
Carson City, Nevada , v * advi Sad SA l I on 8/13/73,
- ■ ’ ■ ' ”T7(
.that - Nevada license ELC276 is registered to a 1970 Dodge,
two door hard top, VIN JH23G0EL23471 , registered on 12/29/72 ,
to JOHN TRUDELL and ..MAUREEN T . MANNING , P .0. Box 337 , Owyhee-,.
Nevada j : with -ah expiration date of 12/31/73. ' .
b6
b7C
LEADS s. N
BUTTE. DIVISION,
-V : ' At Boise, Idaho' >
■ . . • / . • " -i One copy of this letter is being furnished for the; .
v/hntfb -v ^pi\i^ioTi>for information Inasmuch as this extremist 7v v -
has 11 sted hi s- pe rmanent residence as the Duck Valley Indian
Reservation, Owyhee , -Nevada, which- reservation is half in
the state of Idaho, and half in the state Of Nevada, and /.
mileageeV distance wise- it is closer to Boise, Idaho than
•Elko, Nevd^a-h^ "iv.;/ 7'-* •• . :
• - MINNEAPOLIS : DIVIS ION ^..;, > • / • 7
* y ' ^t Minneapolis , ■ Minnesota
Vi. •-
; '7 ''/ One copy, of this letter, is being furnished to the
Minneapolis, Division for information as investigation
-discloses thnt the subject - is "a, Santee Sioux and'a member
. of tRe' Sio.ux .Nation. ; •'
i SAGR-AMEiS^ 6 PI VIS ION '" ' X: • > 7.. -.' - '' ■' t. ; 7 i;:.;-./' .
■/■y.iiv-- At SacramentoV California
/• v'/'-V it; ! Determine through the DMVy Driver ' s License •
;/ Division if subject dr ■ his ‘wife i have valid California
driver ' s licenses .• // • ••-;:• \ V{/.-v : ' 7 v ' ; - ■ - ; -7/ 7 O -\r '•/ . '
LAS. -VEGAS DIVISION if - " : 7 ’ / '• -\ V ‘' '• 7?/'.. 7 '
At Owyhee, .Nevada
•••• il; Conduct' ■ further investigation concerning activities
... .76 f. . the'.sub j e c t and the sub j e.c.t ’ s,- wif e - -7 . ; • 7 •*’ . ' • " ",
b
FD-36 (Rev?, 5-22-64 1
Transmit the following in
AIRTEL
Date: 11/26/73
( Type in plaintext or code)
(Priority)
TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (100-462483)
FROM: SAC, ^LAS VEGAS (157-1265) (P)
SUBJECT : JOHN TRUDELL
EM - AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT
00: Las Vegas
ReBuairtel, 11/6/73.
Enclosed to the Bureau are ei^ht copies of LHM
regarding captioned subject and two copies of same for y'}
Minneapolis. ^ 1
There is no local Secret Service Office in the
north section of the state of Nevada. This area of the
state of Nevada is covered by the Secret Service Office
at Sacramento, California. ✓
LEADS:
LAS VEGAS DIVISION
Rfc-15'
At the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, follow
this matter concerning the American Indian Movement and
the subject. -
©- Bureau (Enc. (2/5
2 - Minneapolis (Enc. 2) AJ*. jj n CE3563
2 - Las Vegas... -
V “ 5 ... •• MOV 30 1973
Sfp. AI2ACK® 1 * J
Approved
in Charge
• JOHN TRUDELL
EXTREMIST MATTERS
AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT
This investigation is based. on information which
indicates the subject is engaged in activities which could
involve a violation of Title 18, U. S. Code, Section 2383
; (Rebellion or Insurrection) or Section 2384 (Seditious :
Conspiracy), as indicated hereafter. The subject has been
identified as being actively involved in militant activities
of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Since January, 1973,
AIM has been actively involved in demonstrations and violent
confrontations with local authorities in Scottsbluff,
Nebraska, ; and the Rapid City and Custer areas of. South Dakota.
From February 27, 1973. through May 8, 1973, AIM leaders and
members and, their supporters occupied the community of Wounded
Knee* South Dakota, by force of . arms taking annumber of the
community's residents as hostages. Before surrendering to
Federal authorities, they engaged in numerous violent and
destructive acts and gunfire was exchanged with Federal
authorities, resulting in the death of two of the insurgents.
A confidential source who has furnished reliable
information in the past advised on October 12, 1973, that
John Tnidell is the National , Co-chairman of the National ,
American ; Indian Movement (NAIM) aid is an officer of the
NAIM. ;• ’ •' ' f :• ' - - - ; • ... ' . . .. .
The American Indian Movement (AIM) was founded
in Minnesota in 1968, dedicated to improving condi-
tions for the American Indian. AIM recently led and
participated in confrontations with local authorities
in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and: the Rapid City - Custer
area of South Dakota. AIM led the takeover and
occupation of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in Febru-
ary - May, 1973.
An article appearing in the "Minneapolis Tribune"
a newspaper of general circulation within the Minneapolis,
Minnesota area, under dateline of August- 3, 1973, reported
the- following: -■ d '. : d\
m
dS!
S»pSIB»V r ^ ;
F&3f& s mev. 7-9-73)
In Reply , Please Refer to
File No.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535
July 11, 1974
Director
United States Secret Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, D. C. 20220
Dear Sir:
RE:
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
EXTREMIST MATTERS -
/(MERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT
The information furnished herewith concerns an individual or organization believed
to be covered by the agreement between the FBI arid Secret Service concerning protective
responsibilities, and to fall within the category or categories checked. . .
1. □ Threats or actions against persons protected by Secret Service.
2. FI Attempts or threats to redress grievances. . •
3. □ Threatening or abusive statement about U. S. or foreign official.
. a * . ‘ / •
4. FI Participation in civil disturbances, anti-U. S . demonstrations or hostile
incidents against foreign diplomatic establishments. •
5. □ Illegal bombing, bomb-making or other terrorist activity.
6. □ Defector from U. S. or indicates desire to ,defect.
7. Cffi Potentially dangerous because of background, emotional instability or
activity in groups engaged in activities inimical to U. S-.
Photograph Q] has been furnished \ ^'enclosed Q is not available. .
Very truly yours,
Clarence M. Kelley
Director
I - Special Agent in Charge (Enclosure(s)) ( 2 )
U. S. Secret Services , Oklahoma City and Las Vegas
Enclosure(s) ( 2 )
In Reply, Please Refer to - . WASHINGTON, D iC . 20535
File No. ,
November 26, 1973
Director ,
United States Secret Service .
Department of the Treasury ' * r ,
Washington, D. C. 20220 - RE: JOHN TRUDELL
□ EXTREMIST MATTERS -
Dear Sir: AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT
The information furnished herewith concerns an individual or organization believed
to be covered by the agreement between the FBI and Secret Service concerning protective
responsibilities, and to fall within the categpry or categories checked.
1. □ Threats or actions against persons protected by Secret Service.
2. □ Attempts or threats to redress grievances.
3. □ Threatening or abusive statement about U. S. or foreign official.
4. □ Participation in civil disturbances, anti-U. S. demonstrations or hostile
incidents against foreign diplomatic establishments.
5. □ Illegal bombing, bomb-making or other terrorist activity.
6. □ Defector from U. S. or indicates desire to defect.
7. [X] Potentially dangerous because of background, emotional instability or
activity in groups engaged in activities inimical to U. S.
Photograph [X] has been furnished [^enclosed □ is not available.
Very truly yours,
1 - Special Agent in Charge (Enclosure(s))
U. S. Secret Service , Sacramento
Enclosure(s) I
.J -White" Oak, Oklahoma v
; : " - i "The American Indian Movement (AIM) elected
■' new national officers Thursday at its convention
John Trudelly'-vho was active in the 1969
. ^4keoy.ef of the former Alcatraz Federal Prison-,
was elected co-chairman. V i , > : ‘
f ; A confidential source Who; has furnished reliable
information iri the- past advised on September 4, 1973 that
V John Trudeil is a Santee Sioux jhdian and a member of £hef
. Sioux Nation. ... : J.i : ' ’. !:k‘-
This source furnished the following information:
. v ’ t : , He .advised that the subject was one of the ~ • ■
•. original participants in the takeover of Alcatraz Island
. when the Indians .took over this, island and utilized it as
an Indian colofty>, He advised that it was during this ;v ■'
period of time that the subject met his wife Maureen JE*-k ' 1 ■
^Manning , who is a Shoshone Indian,, and who was born arid
- ‘raised on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. He stated
that. /he did not know where Manning and the subject were
married, but believed it was in the State of California.
•JMk- - * - # i‘ 1 _ -
; rr ;;
to the
u
If w
•f*
Source stated that the subject and his wife Came,
ck Valley Indian Reservation , Owyhee , Nevada, . !
_ June, 1972v to take over the operation of the rarioh •
owned by ; Arthur T \ Manning ,Z father pf Maureen T. Mannirig, ;
inasmuch as Arthur!' Manning had been invblved in an accident . I . ' •; .
He stated that Arthur Manning is the’ ■tribal chairman of the
; tribal council of the Western Shoshone Paiut e Tribal Counci 1 .
of. the Thick Valley Indian Reservation,; Owyhee. ; / ■ - ! . . '
:.?r Source further advised that the subject was in
Wounded Knee during the uprising of the Pine Ridge Indian
>. Reservation and believes , but is not positive, that the
subject was instrumental in the actual takeover of the ! . ‘
: ; Pirie Ridge. Indian Reservation in Wounded Knee. ••
■y ■; He stated that the subject and his wife also v •*
. attended the AIM National Convention at White Oak,; Oklahoma, %
r - during July and August-,'; 1973.; and in fact, neither, his wife
nor the subject has returned to the Duck Valley Indiah , . :
■ Dnerirtrof r’Ar» ‘ . • - . * , ' - H • * . - n • J-;' •* * ' V * '
L\
IA
^ kV jQHN TRUDEtL ^ ;:'V •• ; V ; -\' ;' *. "v' : ; " y
'V''> V-v ,; / .' ' ; :’^/'i^v'He,'went on to state that prior to t he takeover at ; ,'y :
.Wounded Knee bv mi lit ant Indians « the subject | | >•_■
j land I J b6
’’ f ' . ; b7C
on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation; , b7D
. He stated ne cased tne. reasoning for this - statement on the
i I fact of the subject's marriage to Arthur. Manning’ s daughter,' J; | .
• m / and that Mr . Manning i s a tribal chairman of the Western.; . V-
v. . , . . Shoshone, Paiute Indians on the Duck Galley Indian Reservation. ' //
- y He did state that the subject has been to the ; v ‘ ; ; :
; ; • 1 reservation since June , : 19 72 off ana on , but that .tie did f
spehd the inonths of November, December, 1972 and January*y> ^ ! -r
1973, on thie Duck Valley Indian Reservation, Owyhee. yY-'i
!■:; / f - ;..;y Soiirce Stated the subject was arrested oh - the y/z.’y'/'V
. Duck galley Indian Reservation^ Owyhee, on March 16, 1973,
.on ;a ?char|;e r of no driver's license. He stated the subject
was. (not fingerprinted by the, Indian authorities as a result / ; .
' : of. this violation and the subject claimed that he did not
yy. have a valid Nevada driver’ s license, but did produce a . ,: V:
California driver’s license which had on it a Berkeley, •' -y •
• \ California, address . He stated that this California y;
; • license was not valid as it was out of date. He stated
; that on March 16, 1973*. the subject paid a $25 fine concern- •
; • '■ j.- :• ; ;ing :this matter.: vy y 'A . -•? ;yy •: /• . ■ .' - \ >' yy :vVV‘
v : ‘ 4 . yy ; From inf ormatipn obtained f rom records of the % : />. y a
.> Indian Police at the Duck Valley. Indian Reservation, John V
•- ' ; ' Trudell is^ described as follows : *..£/
■■■ :• ’ :’>;V 'V ; y'.y Race: yy • ';V?V WJufe rican Indian (4/4 Sioux %:
yy'.y .-'-f-:., :>4-' /-vHW)6d)' r ' •• ■ .y,r,. y/yy -4..'- • -
. • yv.- x,; \,y. , -yY^Sexv yyy’Y . yyy-wMaTe' • '• -:*• -
’4 : V:..'V.:L ; i. ! ;'--'Pata'\:6f:vBirth 1 . • ' February 15, 1946 :
. -> ^lace -.of .'Birth''/ /••.. -.Ctanaha* Nebraska .. ' -'V : >:-■ .
Height;:' 5^7 , ' : • .....
' -j..':/ / V 148 pounds/ 1 ; v^.’
•. '‘/^■/^\Eyes'^ •' V, Brown . v ’ ■./
’ •'//''Hair - \ /'V - :.'. ^ ... , Black. /. ... '
;V 0. . ;vV/vf 'Residence- - P. 0. Box 337, . ;-r • : •
V/ . 4 ./ Owyhee, Nevada • ■ ‘ :
F?RM NO. 10*
P^Pr iwz eCTtion
%? GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.8 j
UNITED STATES
ERNMENT • : i*
;TO : DIRECTOR,.; FBI (100-462483)
date: : ; 1/23/7 4
V nrf& : SAC, LAS VEGAS 1157-1265) (P)
subject: CHANGED \ v£.’-r
JOHN • FRANCIS ;TRUDE*1 , aka
John Trudelif^amaring
EM AIM;-? ';vyj :
h i v- ; ; v 00: Las Vegas^ ■ ' / ;
Title of this case being marked changed to, 1 v .
reflect the full name of the subject as JOHN FRANCIS 1
TRUDELL and the alias of JOHN TRUDELL MANNING ,. as obtain ed
(ji> through Investigation; - Title previously carried as JOHN
TRUDELL, •; ..V . .
■ -■■??;? •: '?
Remylet and LHM to Bureau, : .11/26/73 . ’ T /
Transmitted herewith to the Bureau are eight
copies of an; LHM concerning the -above-captioned subject, £
. Transmitted herewith for Minneapolis are; two
copies ;;of -the same LHM. ;; .Y; Y-Y-Y-YY; YY/Y
: : V Also enclosed are two 1 copies of FDr376 for dissem-
ination to Secret Service. /LHM also being disseminated to
: Secret Service;, Sacr amen to. : Y.Y :; .Y . v/ / V ; >v,. yY-Vy / ' ?v’: : •• ' ■'•••
Y- :v v Sources utilized in th^ enclpsed LHM are identi-
fied as folljerivs:. • . ' ; -Y' . v YYyY ;? • . Y - ' . * ' V - * • :
Source One -
i Source Two -I
Source Three —
source Four
Source Five r l
Q - iu^u /Ehc, 8)
^T2 - Minn^ullLoits^C^nc, ?)
Ife “i
Owyhee, Nevada *
W>r-:
mm
Savings ; Bonds on the Payroll Savings^P^dn- v; M
'•?&.>** ri<J_
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ft
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, .'.’. J -'-. *.* ?; . "" ♦ >/ r.-yw^'* * ^vl^’X £*» .•• '■’•/ • '.‘.V'v i’ 5 : .-' J . j- - ** . .* • • . J
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^vrv-' >£. , : ' ' •'
Paul.,' : — ■ - - 4 -- v ' '- v - ■
: ; '^,;-V ; ' r'i k ' J .P^teTmiiic , if
■'• ty- : v' t?0iS iSii ;is ^^i^^jbonGetning tire tr ial of 'the- Wo
;.v,:r, O'ipants;^ v^c: .<•>..' - ■ ■• ; •' ' ■.." --• '•■< .-•- '•■ -».'.
> -v,: ; ' 'a-
•• V- ; r fMWS DIVISION ^ ^ ^ . ;
, V >• " ' ' • ' / ' 4 •*"'.! -5 *' . ; .-‘V v .- .;•
?.'• : vAf r'El'KO .and Owvhee 1 ' ' Nevada .. ' ,-..
V*‘X'{C > i £ * 4 v •*•• “>•"-■ :’J -'■ iii'ii « i n m . ‘ i i ‘ i ^f
:,>v -: ■ ■■ . :•:.
.‘ ; 'k:kM’alhth-in-''cohta<
.. v^", » ..V’ul. 1 .moTT An ‘ /» Anr*nY>n "i nn>
subject JOHN EtlANCIS TRUDELL is ih ; V
Wounded Knee part if
’ . V-. .
contact wxth. sources ± or further inf or?
TRtJDELL and his ^
; ?i •-* j ryi 4 ^* ^ .■‘ >? *-» ;.i, * ''■■*'> 'iM v 1 v«.*, •■■» ’ . * t -.* . v- . • . . .*? v . ,/..*• . * r *
- " \ - - V- - £* * ■ ’: • yr^.'/vJ-YV 4 - • • ->* ’• .v ,•; k ' .. •« y '■ ■ • : v “ •'
:..v-. v>^: v ? •; AV-, ■->:■ *■ *; ..... ^ V ••:•■;*'
:• • >•'•'■" Y:f..;,v: c; ;; ;^.
.-V*,' 4 v’ ?■■$?%* .'^ ' ( .* .* . y ,v;v* - ''• - k' . •.'•'^; 4 r.. /: .^v; f •. ;•-,. .'•
;■ . ’-CO X *v^ '•’%? . •'V' v - • ■ •«'• **••/• ; • r :5^ k •’/ . f . 4 *’ J >/? ’
•* ->;*v t ; A r,r V v-" vv/- '. • ’■ * r -. i* f v y : > 4 ^-,..’ •. :v^* ? r^2*v *
• ’ : y*? f' ' ‘ 4 '‘- . S • • .' • ^fi'-V 4 ’ ■' •; ? : * -.v.; •. Y'y ' '\ X ' ' y'- kj J - V '•
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>.'■♦>« ;^ r ' '■ '7‘r *'• ..v-Y ; ^ ■ • V- ■ :
January 23, 1974
Director * ' • . In Reply, Please Refer to
United States Secret Service File No. 157—1265
Department of the Treasury : ‘ ^ s .
Washington, D. C, 20220 RE: . JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
EXTREMIST MATTER - ■
Dear Sir: :• ‘AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT
The information furnished herewith concerns, an individual or organization believed
to be covered by the agreement between the* FBI and Secret S ervice concerning protective,
responsibilities, and to fall within the category or categories checked. < - .
1. □ Threats or actions against persons protected by Secret Service. ,, \ \
2. □ Attempts or threats to redress grievances-; , 4 ; *. ..
3. n Threatening or abusive statement about U, S. or foreign official.
4. * □ Participation in civil disturbances, anti-U. S. demonstrations or hostile
V incidents against foreign diplomatic establishments. ”*.*;*/? 7 ■
5. □ Illegal bombing, bomb-making or other terrorist activity. * ’
6. □ Defector from U. S. or indicates desire to defect. ,
: 7- [3 Potentially dangerous because of background, emotional instability or
activity in groups engaged in activities inimical to U. S.
Photograph □ has been furnished □ enclosed □ is not available..
Very truly yours,
1. - Special Agent in Charge (Enclosure(s))y . r .
U. S. Secret Service, Sacramento - /* . ;
Enclosufe(s) : ^
r
: STATES D El* A-R T M-K N OF JUSTICE
-'• ' federal b-ureau ^jj^y^^ATioN'; ' <:
!'/« Reply, Please Refer t6' , V‘ / j.-' . Las l^egas, Nevada ~ . ; P«*:-
File-No.-':: ^ : • . • ; /;'V r ••'v vV':' x-'tV.;
y 0-y" • yy 1 ’. January 23 ^ 1974 y 7 • y 'f^yy
JOHN FRANCIS VTRUDELL
' EXTREMIST #TTER ; .
AMERICAN;: INDIA NMOVE ME NT
V v s<: y yQn September 2^ ;;1973y Source One furnished ^ in-
formation that accord ing : 1 0- the ; government laws ; and: con- r :
,s t i tut ipn established by Indian Mov ement ; r; y- .
(A IM): y Dennis Banks has g iven John Franc is Trude 1 1 t he :
power to act on; behalf of Dennis Banks in Banks' ^absence. ;
Source One stated that Banks is; concerned that Trudell may
become too well -known, wh ich ;wil 1; ^spoi 1 Trude 11 * s : ef fec^yyy
t iveness as Banks has tried to keep Trude 11 as a silent
leader of: AIM. ‘" Banks is;' .of the opinion that if he, Banks »
goes to jail, , Trudell wilier upOn Banks
recommendation." yy s yyy •. ■•y-C\ \ '
y A : IM; was . f ounidedViii. Mini^sOtia^.in : 1948 , dedirC . y .
yxryycated'- tb improving. conditiohs f of the American y’
■ f '/Indian AIM recently, .led .and par tic ipa ted : in con- , :
•■'yV'y ! iron t at ions ^ith , 1 oCa 1 author it ies in Scottsbluff , - > ;
; V - ^ Rapid^ CitytCuSter area of iSouth
: - ' ; . Dakota i. ; AIM .led the takeover and / occupation 5 of ' i
7 Wourided Knee,' Sputh. Dakota, in February-May , 1973 . y-
; •'/ ••''v' ’ Sourpe Two stated on August 29, 1973* that in view.
Of .the jU i 1 ing , arid bond revocation of Carter Camp, John.
Trudell , the National’ AIM CO-Chairman , will assume full
responsibility of the cha Irmanship of -AIM. • '-y v
' • ' V V Source; Three furnished: informat ion on October 4,
1973, that 8 ’ Vernon Franklin Bellecourt was | | V
1 driving a ! brown Toyota automo-
bile /.' bearing 1973 Oklahoma. license ZZ ; 7841, .- " V' o',
Sources whose identifies are
concealed herein have, furn-
ished re 1 iable ' inf ormat ion: in
the past expbpt Where: others
^w.ise; 7 no ted , : ■;% _y . . : - ■
: -ppp v .v-
v>v •'<'■#■/
a ♦“ V-V:'/
Jbhn .Franc is Trudell
. V: ; / The Department of Motor Vehicles, Oklahoma Ci t yV . ^
Oklahoma, indicates that Oklahoma license ZZ 7841 is. issued • .•
to a 1973 Toyota, loyir-^obr. Vehicle Ident if icat ion Number
PRE85064693, currently registered tol- John Trudell Manning, ,
; 1511 South Knoxville, Tulsa, Oklahoma. v - 'V//.*- V' ■<; . plpp.' : \-T x
,r, : Source Four , furnished information on January r .i5,;
1974, that John Francis, Trudell has riot returned to the
Duck Valley Indian Reservation, Owyhee, Nevada, since:- •; ,.' v
Trudel 1 and his wife , Maureen T ina Manning , le ft the Duck pp
Valley Irid i an.; Reserva t ion t o attend - the American Indian £ _ • :
Mbvement National Convention at White Rock , Oklahoma/ during '.
July and August, 1973. ...
■ Source Five furnished , inf ormat ion on January 16, /
1974, that Maureeri’Tiria Manning , wi f e of Johri Frahcis:
Trudell . returns to the Duck Val ley Indian Reservat ion , ^ ^
Owyhee, | \ This source stat ed that
Manning lives with her father,:.; Arthur T . Manning ,1
le Duck V alley Indian Reservation and wil
gone
y-y *• •\ m
; p ./.p/This source/ f urther’/st ated . that to the source’s /
kpbwledge" Johht; F^ rihcih Trude 11: and Maureen ^iria Manning arh'
riot married but ./have been living together since they : pie t - at
Alcatraz : island/ ‘ v s . '/■/. „'•/•••• ‘ ’ '-••>
. . . According ’ tp Sourbe ;F iye , Maurheri Tina/ Manning is
presently o n. the-Duck Valiev Tndiari Res ervation . - ! 'Source' ; ,
Five st ated I I Maureen Tina Man ning'.
Manning | | her husbarid, johri. Trude 11 VI
This '■'•'document; contains neither recommeridat ionS- hbr
conclusions of thepFBI . It is . the property of the FBI and
is loaned to your agency.;- it and its ; contents are not to be; .v-. v
■distributed outside your agency. :/.■ ’ ;
;ftV. i/ ,
< •' trK
„ / • v *V \£
* .'. r y r '«.• v ' ‘ '■
SUBJECT
• F
FD^>,8 (Re;;. 10-5-72)
OP T| c^jyjo'ftM 1 o a*
MAY 196 2 EDITION' »
GSaOEN. REG. NO. 27
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum ']
Director, FBI (Bufile
mum ' : ^
/ Od-' ^ (Jj,
pfr/K DATE:; 4/29/74
SAC, LAS VEGAS (157-1265) (RUC)
JOHN FRANCIS TR UDELL
EM - AIM
{&
Re Oklahoma City letter to Minneapolis, 4/3/74 (10).
The captioned. individual has been "the subjectvpf a security or extremist investigation by this office. The
Okl&hOHUI; Ci tg ; __ Division has verified the permanent presence of the subject in its division
as residing? and working at the addresses listed below. The Qfc hOlB H City : .Division is
as residing and working at the addresses listed below. The
* being considered the new Office of Origin.
Business Address, Name of Employing Concern and Address,
Nature of Employment, and Union Affiliation, if any.
Unknown
'Residence address
1511 Knoxville Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Key Facility Data
Geographical Reference Number
Identification Division Data
Check OR note the following applicable statements:
i I A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUS!
. Responsibility .
1 | A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUSLY placed in FBI # ; therefore, copy of this form is
designated for Identification Division.
|~| A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUSLY placed in Identification Division; however, FBI number is NOT KNOWN.
The following information, therefore,' is being furnished and a copy of this form is designated for Identification Division.
Date and Place of Birth:
Other Identifying Numbers:
Fingerprint Classification:
NOTE: Do NOT designate COPY of FD-128 for Identifi cation ^Division, if FD- 16 5'- previously RETURNED to field office
because no fingerprints located on subject. / ^ f ^ /
Check the following applicable statements: Wi-v ■ * / _ _ ^
FT This individual is the subject of an ADEX Card. ( The Bureau is requested to make the appropriate chanfees'in the ADEX at
FBIHQ. The __ . , Division should addresses
indicated above and the appropriate, case file number .) mtmmmm mmmmm
[ | Subject is designated a Key Black Extremist.
[ ) Subject is designated a Key Activist. • MftV O 1074 i
[ | Handwriting specimens have been furnished to the Bureau. 2 I”** I & |
[ 1 A photograph has been furnished to the Bureau. ;
FI Subject is included in the Extremist Photograph Album (EPA). The new Office of Origi^should subimjL^ jjgjj^^fcnplete
FD-432 showing the hew address and Office of Origin of subject.
gVl Dissemination made Secret Service locally re above information. j
I 1 Subject included in Stop Index Fil e at Bureau; /copy of this form is designated for Data Processing Se
The following pertinent item
i — I ADEX Cards
tXT Serials ( specify )
S MWi
ie new Office of Origin with its copies of this kh
Ns ^hotograph of subject (check appropriate item listed below)
Negative and three copies of most recent or best likeness
A None available
/} Previously furnished
photograph
^2/ Bureau
^-Oklahoma
( 5 )
Ci ty CteoCT
Y 141974
1 1,0
FD-128'XR.ev. 3-12-74)
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10
962^ COITION j e
GSA^OCN. *£G. NO. U
UNITED STATES. GOVERNMENT
Memorandum
Director, FBI (Bufile - 157-29508
7/11/74
OKLAHOMA .CITY (157-1521) (P)
SUBJECT:
is residing
)eihg consi
Business
. Nature of
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL, aka
John F. Trudell,
John Trudell, ■ v
John Trudel , John Trudell Manning
EM - AIM
The captioned individual has been the subject of a security or extremist investigation by this office. The
1 — : 1 — : Division has verified the permanent presence of the subject in its division
and working at the addresses listed" below. The._ Las Vegas = — Division is
dered the new Office of Origin.
Address, Name of Employing Concern and-Address,
Employment, and Union Affiliation, if any.
^Residence address .
Childrerfs Foundation
Washington, D.C*
Key Facility Data r ~ r "
' Geographical Reference Number
Identification Division Data
Check OR note the following applicable statements:
I 1 A security flash on subject has been PREVIQU SI
Box 337,
Duck Valley Indian
Reservation,
Owyhee, Nevada
- Responsibility
f~ 1 A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUSLY placed in FBI # : : ; therefore, copy of this form is
designated for Identification Division. .
PH A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUSLY placed in Identification* Division; however, FBI. number is NOT KNOWN.
. The following information, therefore, is being furnished and a copy of this form is designated for Identification Division.
Date and Place of Birth:
Other Identifying Numbers:
Ftnggrprint Classification:
i on^OT^Gric if ED - re vi c
NOTE: Do NOT. designate COPY of FD-128 for Identification i f ED- revi oufil v RN J E D to fiet^offica^
because no fingerprints located on subject. / ^ y ^ST) C\
Check the following applicable statements: ^ Jr '
• rn This individual' is the subject of an ADEX^Card’; • / The Bureau is requested to make the appropriate changes in the ADEX at
FBIHQ . The ' i ■ ■ , ■ — : : ^ Diyis /on, s hopJjcLaf fix the addresses
indicated above and, the appropriate case file number.) ^
Subject' is designated a Key Black Extremist. • ! *&'/'■
r~l Subject is designated a Key Activist. ‘
PI Handwriting specimens have been furnished to the. Bureau. t ■ J?. JUL 16 1974 H
p~l‘ A photograph has been furnished to the Bureau.
r 1 Subject is included in the Extremist Photograph Album (EPA). . The new Office of Origin shoul d_submiUa new complete .
* FD-432 showing the new address and Office of Origin of subject. . -
□□ .Dissemination made Secret Service locally re above information. (Two copies of FD-366 enclosed for the Bureau)
% JUL 16 1974
The following pertinent items are being forwarded to the new Office of Origin with its copies of this letter:
• j — | Adex Cards * _ ^ ' • K] Photograph of subject (check appropriate item listed below )
CS Serials (specify) OC rept dtd 7/ 11/74: F I Negative and three copies of most recent or best likeness I
1 | Designated Office of Origin in receipt of all pertinent serials photograph • * . '
*-[ ] 2 copies of FD-366 ( 1 copy for dissemination □ None available y ' ? /i i tl * \
to local Secret Service) ; * jX] Previously furnished ^£,TIC« tO 1T6P& //LL/f i)
Bureau ~
2 - Las Vegas (157-1265) (Encvl)
1 - 6klM^|IC£^9F#
JLHspwo C5 o
/W* i
F D -27 2 (Rev . 3 -3 r 5 9)
fa t
FEDERAL bureau of investigation
Reporting Office
OKLAHOMA CITY
Title of Case /
Office of Origin
LAS VEGAS
I Investigative Period
Qrudell,
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
John F« Trudell,
John Trudell,
John Trudel,
John Trudell Manning
7/11/74
Report made by
Character of Case
EM - AIM
10/19/70 - 5/29/7^
{Typed By:
REFERENCE:
SUMMARY
Las Vegas letters to the Bureau, 11/26/73, and X/23/74.
a. P '<•
ENCLOSURES:
Enclosed for Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and WFO each >}
is one photograph of JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL. ; |: /
ADMINISTRATIVE:
Attached to two copies of this report for the Bureau are two
copies of FD-376 (with photo attached), one of which is for dissemination
to Secret Service, Washington, D.C. One copy this report with FD-376
attached furnished Las Vegas for dissemination to Secret Service locally.
One copy report with FD-3/6 attached furnished Secret Service, Oklahoma
City.
It is noted the period between the date of this report and the
end of the investigative period of this report exceeds 30 days; however,
investigating agent was involved In A ma jor case investig ation within th e
Oklahoma City Divis ion entitled, V UNSUB: I I . .
I ' I * VICTIM, KIDNAPING; AR - HOBBS ACT - CONSPIRACY, 0C **
7-1117". Investigation in this matter caused the delay in the
preparation of this report.
Approved
Copies made:
Special Agent
in Charge
Do not write in spaces below
(0- Bureau (157-29508) 1ST"
1 - Secret Service, Oklahoma City
1 - Denver (Info)(Enc. 1) a (m 17107 /
3 - Las Vegas (157-1265)(Enc. 1) JUL 17 19 ‘
(1 - Secret Service) «=== = 3 =^,
1 - Minneapolis (157-2417) (In^o)(Enc. 3# tA'
1 - WFO (Info)(Enc. 1) v.t . * “ ~ r
2 - Oklahoma City (157-1521) Agency: secret Service
JUL 17 197*
Notations:
AAG Criminal Div.
Attn: ISS
GCS (Lit. Unit)
How forwarded /?. / S
Date_ *7/ T~
- A -
COVER PAGE
v 4
<&•' : ; - -•<» v < '4.-. : •••; I
..■ - ■• t»>* r, ^
"y&. t
•* '•' 1
f . 'if 3 ,:
OC 157-1521
•; \\ /f*"-"*
.i Investigative period is extended to include
inforinatidii regarding subject* s activities dating back to
Fp*128 being submitted at this time designating
Las Vegas as office or origin inasmuch as subject’s permanent
address is in that division.
T4-- information copy being furnished Denver , Minneapol is ,
end WFO in view of their interest in subject's activities*
Specific leads are not being set forth in this/44f4
report v however » will be set out in separate communications
with results requested to be furnished Las Vegas Division*
Sources ref erredto in thisreport are as follows:
157 * 1521-51
157 - 1521-55
157 - 1521-61
157 * 1521-60
157 - 1521-61
157 - 1521-64
157 - 1521*91
157 - 1521-30
157 - 1521-35
157 - 1521-56
157 - 1521-56
157 - 1521-89
»ee, Nevada
157 - 1521-74
157 - 1521-25
Owyhee, Nevada
157 - 1521-75
COVER PAGE
FE>-2$fc (Rev. 3-3-59)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Copy fo: J, ; 1 - Secret Service, Las Vegas
1 - Secret Service, Oklahoma City
Report of: | | Office: Oklahoma City b6
Date: . 7/11/M , - / ' b7C
Field Office File #: 157-1521 Bureau File #: 157-29508.
Title: JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
Character: EXTREMIST MATTERS - AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT
Synopsis: Background data on JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL, aka JOHN TRUDELL
; MANNING, American Sioux Indian, date of birth 2/15/46, FBI
Number 231 789 F, set forth. TRUDELL elected National
Co-chairman of the American Indian Movement (AIM) at
convention at White Oak, Oklahoma, 7/31 - 8/3/73, but later
named National Chairman, his present position. Subject
bragged of having furnished "heavy artillery" during takeover ,
of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in February, 1973. Subject
also member of AIM Central Committee which makes all major
decisions effecting AIM. Subject in constant travel status
as AIM representative making speeches throughout the United
States. Subject has expressed peaceful views in obtaining
AIM objectives, but on occasions has also advocated violence.
Subject attempting to focus attention on himself and project
himself as logical leader of AIM if current AIM leaders are
convicted and sent to prison as result of current trial in
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
' . - P - ;
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI
are not to be distributed outside your agency.
It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE ; 1970 ’ O - 406-840*
sl\V - .•£» \ ' *.
v : . -AJg£
OC 157-1521
This investigation is based on information which
indicates the subject is engaged in activities which could
involve a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section _
2383 (Rebellion or Insurrection) or 2384 (Seditious Conspiracy),
as indicated hereafter. The subject has been identified as
being actively involved in militant activities of the
American Indian Movement (AIM) .; Since January, 1973, AIM
has been actively involved in demonstrations and violent
confrontations with local authorities in Scottsbluff , •
Nebraska, and the Rapid City and Custer areas of South
Dakota. From February 27, through May 8, 1973, AIM leaders
and members and their supporters occupied the community of ; y
Wounded Knee, South Dakota,; by force of arms taking a number
of the community’s residents as hostages. Before surrendering
to Federal authorities, they engaged in numerous violent and
destructive acts and gunfire was exchanged with Federal
authorities resulting in the death of two of the insurgents .
I. BACKGROUND
Birth Data
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL was born February 15, 1946,
at Omaha; Nebraska. ; This information has not been verified
although this is the; data furnished by TRUDELL upon his
arrest by Lawton, Oklahoma Police Department on January 14*
•1972^-;;, ' •' '
B. Residences ; • K
•“ '‘' : '-':0n'-’ Januatry''’i’5^ 1972, Captain •
Lawton, Oklahoma Police Department, advised suoject, on l
January 14, 1972, furnished an address of 3245 East 5th .
Place, ;TUlsa, Oklahoma. ;
On Janua ry 22, 1974, Mrs . 1 _ . ,
I ~~1 Oklahoma, advised that TRUDELL has in the
past used her address where he occasionally receives . his-.
mail, although, he has never resided at this address.
A Oh September 4^ 1973. OC T-ll advised that TRUDELL
I _ _ _ I the
Duck Valley Indian Reservation* Owyhee, Nevada. Information
obtained from the records of the Indian Police at the Duck
Valley India Reservation.; indicates sub ject * s address as S-:
' Post' Office Box '337;, Owyhee j Nevada. •: ' ■ r . •'>
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OC 157-1521
Subject was arrested in Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
oh May 7. 1974, at which time he furnished address of 230
North ^Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
i ' On February 21, 1974, OC T-4 advised TRUDELL is a
Fie Id Representative for the Children* s Foundation , a non-
profit organization created to -research and support project:
to find means of enhancing the welfare of underprivileged
persons , particularly children, explicitly alleviating hunger
and malnutrition. The Children’s Foundation derives its
Conduit for funds from charitable and religious organizations,
industry, commerce, and government for programs described .
above. The headquarters for the Childrens Foundation is in
Washington^ D,C«^ telephone number (202) 296-4451. ,
D. Citizenship ■ /.
TRUDELL is a United States citizen by birth; he
is a Santee Sioux Indian and a member of the Sioux Nation.
The latter information has not been verified.
E« Military Service .
.-it is believed TRUDELL served in the United States
Navy, dates unknown, and was assigned United States Navy
Serial Number 689 63;:25y : --; >■£' /■ • • v
F. Education - r,':-;' ;y
Sub j ec t * s educat ionai background is unknown. - :
. Subject* s : educatiohal background is unknown. - :
C. Marital Status ^ ■ v % P&j
On Septemberv4* 1973, OC T-ll stated TRUDELL and
his wife, MAUREEN TIN^MANNING, met during the period when
American Indians had taken over the former Alcatraz Federal
Prison in California, in 1969. OC T-ll claimed subject’s
wife is a Shoshohe indian who was born and raised on the
Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada.
On January 16, 1974, OC f-13 said to her knowledge
TRUDELL and his wife are- not married, but have been living
together Since they met at Alcatraz Island.
H. Arrest Record -.V 'y'”-:-
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^ Subject was arrested on May 10, 1965, by the Los
Angeles , Cali f ornia Police Department on a charge of Minor
Coxisumihg and was fined $30.00.
' On May 10, 1971, subject was arrested by Sah :
Francisco, California Pp lice Department on charge of
Possession of Marijuana ahd was- placed on a 60 day
suspended Sentence and one year probation and was required
toregisterunder the Health and Safety Code as a user of
narcotics. ..." v.\ J M ■ • " ' •.
V Oh January 14, 1972, he was arrested by the Lawton,
Oklahoma Police Department and charged with Trespassing and
Disobeying a Lawful Order; this charge was dismissed. v \
On September 4. 1973, ,0C T-ll advised subject was
arrested on March 16, 1973, on the Duck Valley Indian '
Reservation, Owyhee, Nevada; on charge of No Driver's License
: aira;;rece^vad'-a^ $25.00^1:1^^
OnAugust 13,1973, subject was arrested by the
Anadarko, Oklahoma Police. Department on a charge of Assault,
but the charge was dismissed on August 17, 1973.
On May 7, 1974, -the Sioux Falls Argus-LeadCr ; a
newspaper in Sioux Falls; South Dakota, carried a story
indicating TRUDELL had 'been arrested (no specific date
mentioned; in connection . with vandalism to a downtown
Sioux Falls bar; no disposition was noted.
1 1 .-rV Status Of Health : :y ?^y ;:
; - There is no available information indicating
subject is not in good, health, although subject in the past
has been convicted for-.' pos ses s ion o f narcotics and. might be
considered a narcotics user.: v‘4vj
J. : ; Description
The following; descriptive- data was obtained through
Name
Aliases
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
JOHN F. TRUDELL,
JOHN TRUDELL,
JOHN TRUDEL,
JOHN TRUDELL MANNING;
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OC 157-1521
' ■' Race : American Indian ‘
^ (4/4 Sioux) ■ . V : * •
/ 'Sex i -v : \ -A •. Male : ' *.V ; .
... • Date of birth February 15, 1946
Place of birth Ctaaha, Nebraska
' V./'':' Hair Black / ' .W
: ’ -v Eyes *• ’’-Browxi’ ... . V
Build .: r Slender;.
Height 5*7” '
"V;-: O height .150 pounds "v •
■Vv: -, V '■ ’ Complexion ■''■Medium ,\ v •
’ '• r Social Security
Account Number . 507-56-9115
:■■■■; ^Military Service; United States Navy
Serial Number 689 63 25
. V ’V- FBI Number ? v a ^ , ?v 231- 789 -F
.Tattoos Eagle on outer lower
y- r; \ ■■//w-'" right arm; . . y ■'
.. •"./ V;-. ■ ; > "Candy Man” on upper
'■'% -outer left arm; y
:v- "Jonny Eagle" on lower., • '
V. : v v 'outer left arm;
; Ki» " Heart on upper outer- , ••• v.-a- -
' V ' ■ : ' a.,,-. ' cVleft^ arm; . '•■ '
; v . v ' V:.;' 1 U.S. Navy star and .
: .y \y.. l ' 1 X ■'■'■"shy/. Guy? on back of "
V • av \ a V ■:.’ . 'h : -< ;‘V. >• . : left-hand;
;;' :; :';;;'"Tiny"'on back of fingers
iiv activities in aim . •' rava- *.
Oh September 24. 1972. an individual who identified
h-fmspl f as I |
I I telephonically contacted the Oklahoma City
Office complaining that JOHN TRUDELL, along with about 80
other Indians whom he described as "militants from Milwaukee,
Wisconsin", were camped on Pawnee Tribal property at Pawnee
and that some of these individuals ware armed. He said most
r - of these individuals were wearing jackets with the letters
"AIM" on . :.the back,.,--; : 'a y./.,
v . On November 5 , 1972, tha Oklahoma Journal and v
Sunday Oklahoman , both daily newspapers in Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma, carried articles concerning the occupation of the
Bureau^of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office in Washington, D.C.
by 200-300 Indians. JOHN TRUDELL was among those Indians
from Oklahoma participating in. the takeover.
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OC 157-1521
: On May 16 * . 1973, OC Trl considered TRUDELL to be
a leader of the AIM chapter in Oklahoma. His main job was
to. "keep things stirred up” among the Indian population in
Oklahoma. TRUDELL is
close and trusted friend of
On July 10, 1973, OC T-l said TRUDELL* s major
function in AIM is fund raising, primarily fay making speeches.
TRUDELL does not spend much of his time in Tulsa, Oklahoma,
as he travels a good deal.
On July 29, 1973, OC T-2 stated that TRUDELL was
in attendance at the AIM National Convention at White Oak,
Oklahoma, and made several speeches , primarily dealing with
the manner in which the whites had victimized the Indians ,
stolen their lands, taken their game rights , etc.; however*
there was a continuing effort to insure the convention
remained peaceful. TRUDELL was one of several Indians who
appeared to be in charge of the convention site at that time.
On July 31, 1973, OC T-2 said TRUDELL, during the
AIM National Convention, claimed he had furnished some Of
the heavy arms at Wounded Knee , however , he was not
specific. ■ T \ ; r*: •'
On August 20, 1973, OCT- 3 claimed TRUDELL made a
speech at the AIM National Convention at White Oak, Oklahoma,
indicating he prbvided "heavy artillery” for Wounded Knee;
that he did hot want to be on the scene and face the
possibility of arrest, and that he Was content to work
behind the scenes. He appeared to approve of violence, but
was not specific as to action or plans.
Oh August M, 1973, OC T-l claimed TRUDELL in ■■■■;$
another speech at the convention called for prison reform
concerning Indians ; for Indian boycott of schools until :
Indian students were admitted with long hair; and Indian
boycott of Safeway stores. : :
On August 2, 1973* OC T-2 said that "elections"
were held at the National Convention on August 2, 1973, And
JOHN TRUDELL was elected a National CO-ordinator. > ;
: . On August 13 ,1973, a disturbance involving between
200-300 individuals, mostly Indians, took place at the Caddo
County,. Oklahoma Fairgrounds, Anadarko, Oklahoma, the site
Of an American Indian exposition. The disturbance was resuit
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OC 157-1521
of taunting of AIM members by Indians who were not associated
with AIM. Considered among the leaders of the AIM group was
JOHN TRUDELL. According to Chief of Police ARTHUR RODGERS,
Anadarko, Oklahoma Police Department, during the disturbance
considerable pushing and shoving occurred and a female, claimed
TRUDELL assaulted her and subsequently filed local charges
against him; however, the charges were subsequently :
dismissed on August 17, 1974. •
On August 17, 1974, OC T- 14 advise d that On
August 16. 1973. JOHN TRUDELL cashed a check I
drawn on the Union Trust Bank of Washington,
&eck was made payable to TRUDELL and signed by
. . On August 17, 1973, Chief RODGERS, supra, advised
he spoke with TRUDELL at tdiich time TRUDELL gave the
impression of wanting to be a peacemaker and gave no
indication of any military; TRUDELL indicated he knew ofr
no planned militant action oh behalf of AIM at ; the exposition*
TRUDELL left the Anadarko area on August 17, 1973.
On August 21. 1973* . OC T-3 advised that among names
and addresses of individuals Which appeared to be a list of -
current AIM National Of fleets Was the name JOHN TRUDELL - * ~
National Co-Chairman, 1511 South Knoxville, TUlsa, Oklahoma,
telephone (918) 936-8444 and (202) 296-4451.
On August 28, : 1973, OC T-3 claimed that TRUDELL
assumed the position or AIM National Chairman due to the,
alleged involvement of the other AIM Co-Chairman, CARTER V
CAMP, in the shooting of another AIM member. TRUDELL issued
a national press release, from Winner, South Dakota, on N
August 28, 1973, claiming AIM had launched an investigation
into the shooting of CLYDE BELLECOURT, National AIM Officer.
During the period ic
197 3 . OC T -3 advise d that TRUDELL and otner
and |
1 leaders were
meeting in i I South Dakota, to plan strategy for AIM. i
The following issues were among those discussed at the meeting;
5-1. AIM wants tl
take a five day recess in
led Knee Defense Fund to
:dirs . . . th ere is
j allegia nce I
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0C 157-1521 ^ W
2. AIK must handle the situation between CLYDE
BELLECOURT and CARTER CAMP by itself, that is, without the
assistance of white ( non— I. nd i an ) lawyers • • • statement was
made that AIM asked to deal with CARTER CAMP on its own
basis, that CARTER CMP must face an Indian court and not
one made up by persons of his choice. It was indicated that
if an AIM member tries to shoot another AIM member, that
person then faces death • • •
3. A meeting following the person referred to
above was held about 1/2 hour later [
This meeting was primarily for AIM members, Oklahoma Chapters...
it was suggested at this meeting that a strong ethical
code of behavior for AIM members be adopted and there be
a five or six state boycott of alcoholic beveragp purchasing
and drinking for AIM members to be announced in the near
future. It was also indicated AIM members must improve
the spirituality of their lives and be fit in body and
mind.r Istated AIM will soon be in. a position
indie;
event
| | in the meantime they must be physically and spiritually
tit to act in this manner in behalf of AIM.
4. In addition to the above matters, the following
discussions concerning the Creek problem was held at the
Oklahoma A IM Chanters meeting. The Creek problem is be lieved
and the. Oklahoma AIM Chapter members hope to resolve the
situation involving CARTER CMP and CLYDE BELLECOURT so
they can re turn to Oklahoma to resolve t he situation
relating to I I A statement was
made the situation I I may become violent if not
settled to AIM' s satisfaction.
5. I I who was | |
| | made the statement that RUSSELL
MbAiNb is scared. I i stated MEANS knows he started
the war in Pine Ridge, S. D. and then left other to fight,
I I stated that if RUSSELL MEANS had not made the press
release stating CARTER CAMP had shot CLYDE BELLECOURT,
it could have beerl' made to look like the 'man' had done
it."
OC 157-1521
6 .
further stated the shootings of BELLECOURT
by CARTER CAMP is giving AIM a bad name and funding of
AIM may be withheld by some because of it.
7.
stated at this meeting some AIM.
members were taking sides for CLYDE BELLECOURT or CARTER
CAMP and this should not take place because it will split
AIM. '
further stated CLYDE BELLECOURT holds no
malice for trie shooting against CLYDE BELLECOURT. j~
advised AIM may live or die over this incident and” it is
pathetic that alcohol was the cause of the shooting after
all the work and sacrifice that AIM leaders and indiv idual
AIM members have put into making AIM reach its goal. | ~|
also stated to this group they shoul d think about select ing
a new state coordinator for Oklahoma I I
arrived f ^
indicated a meeti ng would be held at the
and all should attend.
JOHN TRUDELL
and he ^
The meeting, scheduled for
would
not take place as RUSSELL MEANS was not available having
called JOHN TRUDELL and instructi ng him no me eting should
] During the
take place intil he a rrived a t the
course of the day on individual AIM members
conducted numerous conversati ons about general matters with
each other. At approximately I | the meeting
commenced at the[
despite the fact that RUSSELL
MEANS had not arrived. Individuals in attendance weae
pr incipally the same persons who a ttended meetings
at
on
were JOHN TRUDELL and
1 The principal speakers
The main issues discussed at these meetings were:
1. CARTER CAMP was wrong in having shot CLYDE
BELLECOURT and CAMP understands he will have to face the
Indian community to answer for this conduct. It was also
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b7D
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OC 157-1521
stated RUSSELL MEANS was wrong in furnishing information
to the press that CAMP had diot BELLECOURT.
2. It was indicated this incident should serve
as an example for the younger members of AIM of the
bad effect that alcohol can have on the AIM movement.
3. JOHN TRUDELL stated must also
be held responsible for his actions in regard to the
shooting since he had been .causiing trouble and had
f 1 CARTER CAMP , who was sleeping as
a resul t of ms excessive drinking and tired condition .
CARTER, I I
became involved in a situation wherein he shot CLYDE
BELLECOURT.... the statement was made at this meeting
the movement is resolved in a conspiracy to weaken or
break AIM and the conspiracy involves the Government
making strategic moves to gie "AIM enough rope," until
the AIM leaders and AIM movement "does itself in."
J.n addition it was indicated the Government permitted
CARTER CAMP to be released on bail after he pulled a gun
on a gas station attendant because the Government figured,
that if CARTER CAMP were free to do so he would eventually
fight with other AIM leaders and that is what happened
when CARTER shot CLYDE.
It was further indicated that emphasis of AIM
action must be taken upon the national level and nut
back on the local level. JOHN TRUDELL, I I
I H eel AIM must deal with the shooting
situation between CARTER CAMP and CLYDE BELLECOURT in
the Indian manner. They must get this situation resolved
and all AIM members should return to their respective areas
and tackle Indian problems in their local communities .
It was indicated that JOHN TRUDELL prepared and
furnished the news media a written press release concerning
the shooting of CLYDE BELLECOURT. This release' stated .
the central leadership committee of AIM having thoroughly
evaluated all aspects of CLYDE BELLECOURT' s shooting and
determined the shooting was corispiratal in nature, being
a Government conspiracy to destroy A TSTarid posing a
serious threat to Indian peoples in America.
0C 157-1521
• 'On September 4, 1 97 3, OC T-I2 advised approximately
one year ago JOHN TRUDELL was employed by the Oklahoman' s
for Indira Opportunity (010) as a staff member and as a
result of his militant approach to his assigned duties he
was dismissed^ from his employment* 010 was formed seven
years ago by Indian leaders and is funded fay the Office of
Economic Opportunity in amount of approximately $239,000 per
annum. The main programs of 010 are in fields of Community
Development, Economic Development , Business Development,
ahd a yoUth program, all for American Indians.
: On September 4, 1973, OC T-ll advised TRUDELL was
in Wounded Knee , South Dakota, during the uprising at the
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation rad believed, but was not
positive, that he was instrumental in the actual takeover
of the reservation in Wounded Knee. Subject and his wife
also attended the AIM National Convention at White Oak,
Oklahoma, d uring July and August. 1973. TRUDELL had made a
remark that I
I I on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation
Since subject is married to the daughter of the Tribal
Chairman of the Western Shoshone Paiute Indiras on the Duck
Valley; Indian Reservation. -
On September 5 , 1973, OC T-5 claimed that JOHN
TRUDELL could be contacted at telephone number (602)
7 29-! 2675. ; V;. v V '
(hi September 22, 1973, OC T-6 advised according to
government laws and constitution established by AIM, JOHN
FRANCIS TRUDELL was given the power to act on behalf of
DENNIS BANKS, the National Director of AIM, in BANKS' absence.
BANKS was apparently concerned that subject might become too
well known wnich would spoil his effectiveness rad BANKS has
TRUDELL as a silent leader of AIM* BANKS was
-decided to
Of the bpinion that if he went to jail, TRUDELL would replace
BANKS upon the latter ' s recommendation.
held on
I including TRUDELL.
conversation concerned
irticipatini
On October 4, 1973, OC T-7 advised that VERNON
BELLECOURT, at that time the Acting Director of AIM, was
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V ^ "- - k ^3Ss*; ic^ ^ • ‘ /'
DC 157-1521
I driving a brown Toyota,
bearing 19/JOklahomaLicenseZZ 7841._ Registration to this
vehicle was determined on October 5, 1973, to be in the name
of JOHN TRUDELL MANNING* 1511 South Knoxville* Tulsa,
Oklahoma. : ' ,-[-][ "
On October 9, 1973, OC T*7 advised that a letter,
dated September 15, 1973* signed by subject, repr esenti ng ;■
the Wounded Knee Legal Defense/Offense Committee .1 I ; •
_ The main thrust of :C :
the letter was asking the recipients ofthe letter to donate
money to the Wounded Knee Legal Defense/Offense Committee,
Post, Office Box 147 , Rapid City, South Dakota 57701.
On October 22. 1973. OC T»6 advi sed that the AIM
Central Committee, which includes subject. I |
| I South Dako ta. RUSSELL MEANS, a memberof the
Ain Central Committee. I I
urged support for armed takeover of the community of Pine ;
Ridge, South Dakota, similar tb the Wounded Knee action and
TRUDELL supported this position, arguing that violent action
was necessary. The final decision called for no violent' or
unlawful, acts. -i •
On October 31, 1973, the Tulsa Tribune , a
newspaper in Tulsa, Oklahoma* carried an article entitled,
"Indian Peace Summit Due"* indicating TRUDELL was in Tulsa
attending the convention of the National Congress of American
Indians. The article said TRUDELL was in town to gather
support in dealing with a "crisis" in South Dakota. TRUDELL
said "AIM did not take up> arms for a confrontation, but as
a means' Of defense*'. ’■
On November 1 *'■' 1973 , the Tulsa Tribune , supra*
carried another article indicating that TRUDELL, on behalf
of the American Indian Movement, would encourage the Justice
Department to sue the State of Oklahoma for millions of v.
dollars ini funds (Johnson, O'Malley funds) allegedly misspent
on public education, TRUDELL said, "If the courts can' t get
the money back, then we will take Other actions", however* he
was not
On December 29. 1973. OC T-6 advised subject had
[ and had been
Source said subject has
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OC 157-1521
On December 29. 1973. PC T-6 advised that subject
however. J
left the area on December 21
ten it became apparent
In addition, a series of AIM meetings were held
at vdiich time DENNIS BANKS resigned as the National -
Executive Director of AIM, effective January 6, 1974, and
his position would be assumed by CLYDE BELLECOURT. BANKS
would then assume the title of National Field Director and
this arrangement was agreed upon by all of the prominent
AIM members, including JOHN TRUDELL.
On January 28; 1974>;0C T-6 advised that the
following is the claimed AIM leadership:
Title
National Executive Director
National Director
National Chairman
- National';.' Secretary ;
National Treasurer
National Press Secretary
National Security Officer
' Name
DENNIS JAMES BANKS
CLYDE BELLECOURT
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
CAROt STUBBS
San Francisco, California
LARRY ANDERSON
Fort Defiance, Arizona.
GEORGE C. ROBERTS
Los Angeles, California
DOUGLASS DURHAM
Des Moines, Iowa
RUSSELL CHARLES MEANS and VERNON BELLECOURT hold
no title; however, all important decisions are made by the
AIM Central Coinnittee, which is composed of BANKS, RUSSELL
MEANS, CLYDE and VERNON BELLECOURT, HERBERT POWLESS of
Milwaukee, JOHN TRUDELL, and DOUGLASS DURHAM.
.» ; v.^ : y t
'■■ «’ * 'S' • ’ *■-.,. ' ''’■<• V * V ' ;^.
OC 157+
In addition, OC T-6c iaimad TRUDELL is in Contact
with other National AIM leaders f [ and
apparently has no fixed address.
On February 21, 1974, OC T-3 advised no subsequent
information had been developed concerning the whereabouts of
TRUDELL; but source believed he was in the New York City area.
.Source was cont acted I | ,
I I concerning TRUDELL* s Whereabouts, but was;,
unable to provide information.
On February 21, 1974, PC T-4 claimed TRUDELL
participated in an Indian Seminar on February 13, 1974, at
the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, but
could furnish no additional information concerning his
whereabouts' or activities. ....
On February 7, and 19, 1974, OC T-8 and on
February 25,. 1974, OC T-9 advised no information was available
Indicating TRUDELL was in the New York City area at that time
and ho information regarding any planned demonstrations to
be held by AIM in New York; City had been received.
. Oh February 27, 1974; OC T-6 advised TRUDELL was.
to appear at a Wounded Knee anniversary celebration called
''Indian Solidarity Day'' held oh the University Of Minnesota
campus , Minneapolis , the same date. Approximately 1 ,000
people attended the gathering and TRUDELL was a speaker. .
C i On March 2. 1974. OC T-6 said TRUDELL left the
On Mar ch 2. 1974. OC T-6 said TRUI
Minneapolis area |
ahd that he appears to be in constant travel
connection with AIM activities.
status
On March 7, 1974; OC T-6 claimed that GEORGE C.
ROBERTS of Los Angeles*. California, recently submitted a
letter of resignation, date unknown, and there is no Press
Secretary for AIM at this time.;. All other national officers
and members, of AIM Central: Cpomittee remain the same.
Subject is a member of the Central Committee.
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Ot 157*1521
V ; 0^ March 6 t l?74 # W T-6 claimed TRUDELL had
separated from his wife and presently has no permanent
address. Mrs. TINA TRUDELL allegedly returned to her home
in Owyhee, Nevada. TRUDELL continues to be in frequent
travel status and AIM leaders have no way of contacting him
other than when he telephones them; v
On April 6v '.,1974, Salt Lake City, Utah Police
Department advised that AIM members were picketing around
the Temple Square Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day V
Saints vLDS) on April 6-7, 1974, and that AIM leader JOHN
TRUDELL arrived in Salt -Lake City on April 6, 197.4, to
support the demonstration. TRUDELL and AIM leader VERNON
BELLECOURT claimed AIM sought one million dollars for AIM
to be administered by Indians outside the IDS Church. He
stated if the demonstrations failed the goal of meeting
with LDS Church leaders, AIM would take the grievances to the
LDS people through symposiums and public meetings. The Salt
Lake City Police Department believed secret meetings were
held between Indians axui church leaders and some concessions
would be given the Indians On April 12, 1974. ^
On April 23, 1974, Lieutenant I I Scottsdale.
Arizona Police Department, adVised that following the arrests
of several Indians who claimedAIM affiliation, a person ^
identifying himself as JOHN TRUDELL and claiming to be a
National leader of AIM from St. Paul, Minnesota, made an
inquiry about the arrests but claimed that the arrests were
not a result of an AIM organized situation. TRUDELL left
without further adp and didnot return.
On April 23, 1974, an article appeared In . the TUlsa
Daily World , a daily newspaper in Tulsa. Oklahoma, indicating"
tnat as a part of Indian Heritage Week scheduled for April 24-26,
1974, at Northeastern State College, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, a
talk would be given by AIM leader JOHN TRUDELL.
On April 26. 1974. 1 I Director of Safety
and Security, Northeastern State College, Tahlequah, said
TRUDELL spoke at the colle ge on that date to a crowd of ;;
60*100 persons. I ] who did not attend the speech, said
he learned TRUDEtL spoke furimarily on the whitemans injustice
to Indians through police terrorism, the Christian church, ,
double standards of justice for whites and Indians, government
bureaucracy, white educational system, and arguments against
the B1A. He spoke for approximately one hour.
' Oh May 11, 1974, .Special Agents of the FBI were
present in Farmington, New Mexico , concerning a demonstration. •
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OC 157-1521
conducted by AIM concerning an Indian Self Detemination
Seminar in connect ioii with the Farmington Inter-tribal
Indian Organization, During this time several speakers
were present, one of which was JOHN TRUDELL.
On May 7, 1974, the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, , a
daily newspaper in Sioux Fdl Is. south bakota, and the Rapid
City Journal * a daily newspaper in Rapid City, South Dakota,
Doth carried articles concerning AIM criticism of the ~
Minnehaha County Attorney for his handling of an apparent
stabbing incident in Sioux Falls , South Dakota, on Friday,
May 3, 1974, involving a fight: between an Indian and whiteman. •
In both articles TRUDELL was the main spokesman for AIM and
claimed that the Indian involved in the fight was being
unjustly treated. TRUDELL claimed the Indian had been
harassed by White persons yelling racial slurs at the
Indians.
On May 14, 1974, OC T-10 advised that TRUDELL is
attempting to focus public attention on himself to project
himself as the logical leader of the American Indian Movement ;
in the event other National AIM leaders on trial in St. Paul,
Minnesota, are convicted and are sentenced to prison. A
bitter fight is predieted for control of the movement in the
event its leaders are incarcerated.
i On Mar 23. 1974 . OC T-6 claimed TRUDELL is I I
I land is driving a maroon 1972 Toyota
corona witn untcnown license plates. Source claimed that a
National AIM Convention was scheduled at the~Standing Rock
Sioux Reservation in North Dakota, on June 8-16, 1974, with
one of its items of business to be the election of new •
National Officers. Among those definitely eligible to vote
for these off i c era are the various Sta te Officers. ■ .
Accordin g JOHN TRUDELL and a \
I I Nevada, are the State Co-ordinators of AIM
for ttie State of Nevada.
On May 29 , 1974, the Minneapolis Tribune . a local
newspaper in Minneapolis, Minnesota, stated that during the
cross-examination of a witness during the trial of AIM
Leaders DENNIS BANKS and RUSSELL MEANS, an AIM member
identified as JOHN TRUDELL leaped from the spectators section,
jumped across two rows of seats and into the well of the
courtroom up to the judge’s bench shouting all the way that
the trial was "illegal". He was restrained by a United States
M^shal who grabbed him from behind id bearhug fashion and
escorted him from the room. Hie presiding judge barred him
from the courtroom for the duration of the trial, but did
' not:" order; him - arrested, -
- 16 -
^ 4> : : ; . ^' v :V ; vv-'^vv •.•••>>' '. T f-\* * <?■..■••'
' • vS»' ; ■■■•;
■ - ^ , - < „ • '. . . t . t6
«>*
OC 157*1521
Miscellaneous
At a symposium on "Rac ism in Aaerica" he Id
October 19-23, 1970, at the University of Oregon, Eugene,
Oregon, JOHN TRUDELL spoke on "Racism and Political Power”
representing the Alcatraz Indians, During 1971, TRUDELL
represented the Indian Council at Alcatraz in negotiations
withGSA,United States Department of Justice, and other ;
Federal officials. The Indian Council was the group who took
over the former penal facility on Alcatraz Island in November,
1969, and occupied it until their eviction in 1971.
On January 15. 1972. Captain ! I
Lawton, Oklahoma Police Department, advised that TRUDELL was
among several Indians arrested by nis department on January 14,
1972, at the Lawton Board of Education Building concerning
;,a. demonstration by Indian High School students. TRUDELL was.
charged with Trespassing and Failure to Obey a Lawful Order;
these charges were subsequently dismissed.
■ V. : On October 11* 1972, a newspaper article appearing
in the Daily 0_* Collegian , the campus newspaper at Oklahoma ,
State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, indicated a speech
was given before a racial minorities class at the University
by JOHN TRUDELL, a Sioux Indian and spokesman for many Indians
who are fighting "oppression". TRUDELL criticized the
Whiteman's educational school system, claiming Indian •.
children could not be taught honestly and he advocated ,
separate schools for both Indians and whites. He further
criticized the BIA for cheating Indians involving money,
especially the mishandling of Johnson O'Malley funds . : ;
(Indian Educational Act).
b 6
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; On October i5,;,;1972, a Mrs. | [had
complained that her children and other children had been
asked to break out Windows in the Concho Indian School
located eight miles north of El Reno , Oklahoma. Several ; .
boys did in fact break out approximately $195.00 worth of
windows oh the night of October 14, 1972. There was no
indication, however, that the juveniles involved activities
had resulted from any Contacts they might have had with . :
persons involved in the American Indian Movement.
b6
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K- : '--..i7*
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10
MAY 1962 EDITION
GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6
LIMITED STATES VERNME^T j *
\emorandum
f J to DIRECTOR, FBI (157-29508)
from SAC, LAS VEGAS (157-1265) (P)
subjectjoHN FRANCIS TRUDELL, aka
EM-AIM
date:
8/23/74
Re Oklahoma City report and FD-128, 7/11/74,
By referenced communications. Las Vegas has
been designated Office of Origin in that he listed as a
permanent address: Box 337, Duck Valley Indian Reser-
vation, Owyhee, Nevada, / > /
’ ! 331 r^uAell
I I Duck Valley Indian Reservation, Owyhee,
Nevada, advised on 7/31/74, that the subject has not
returned to the Duck Valley Indian Reservation since the
subject left this reservation during 8/73, to attend an
AIM conference i n .Ok lahoma, He^advised that the subject's
supposedly wifej"^®UREE^I TINA^FKnNING, is currently on the
Duck Valley Indian Reservation- and from information he has
obtained on the reservation, is that the subject and MAUREEN
TINA MANNING are now separated. He advised he did not know
if they were or ever had been married.
b6
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ro r ^ To k A
led
^ Duck Valley
Indian Reservation, Owyhee, Nevada, advised on //31/74,
that MAUREEN TINA MANN ING is presently on the Duck Valiev
Indian Reservation and I
separate d.
she and the subject are
b6
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T
1 resid es at the residence nr her parp.nts AKT HUK ari d
on the Duck Valiev Indian Reservation,
I
J MAUREEN TINA MANNING comes and goes from the
reservation at infrequent intervals,
- Bureau Qt-tR RK ®
- Minneapolis (Info)
1 - Oklahoma City (157-1521) (Info)
1 - Las Vegas
LES : tab
)
I SI ' P- t-
Q
AUG 29 1974
J0HPIO8-O2
SEP S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan
7; '’77.7.- • 'v77‘-'/'.i., ^77 7 V ^.;.7 ;. -77 ; '•:'■■'>•'■ • /-;^> ■/.;■ ^ jm. r * . ,; -;y ; • : ;
'•«■■■;';*• --7;v As v SR
' •* •'••:'*•%•* /;V^' / ”"■ JK J -' '•• e^V * ■"*•’•• ~ ,.•- v yf - . .
7^^^ 7 '' - : ’• ' ' 7 77,7 7^.- •
■t-i ■*: . r .;.•>:*■:■ • c \.r V»v. .■■■ ■•writ: ■;■■■. '
7v-Y7Y''77^ further advised' that the subject has not 7V- " -■•■,,
returhedeto the Duck Valley Indian Reservation since the •
and MAUREEN T^N4 "MANNING left the reservation last ,
attend an AIM conference in Ponca, Oklahoma, .
777^777' Inquiry : at the U.S. Post; Office, Owyhee ? : ;7'7;_ ; . 7'.,--
'<?. ^-Nevadak; indicates that P.O, Box 337 was at one time ^
lasted to JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL, but this P.0, Box „
^ | * ' - ha s bee n, v acated>bv TR UDELL and is presently rented
777 ; ; -5 7 tb 1 l and | [ Indians -on 1 • the Duck Valley Indian : 7
:v';- : 5 - 7 R PSPrvfl fclnn * •"• 77; - ■• •• ... f'Jl .
• 77 -v; '7-- 7- According to -rferep, in January, 1972, subject 7777.7
resided at 3245 East .;5th; Place, Tulsa, Oklahoma, In , .7 -7
••{ January, 1974, he' re&eived '; : roaii-j7^^-:,;d'i.d not reside at 1511
' South Knoxville , Tuisa, Oklahoma^: According to aburce,77 7!
7 in -September,;. 1973 , sub j ect indicated a permanent address ; •;
7 as,; above; at Owyhee , ' Nevada, 7; /-7-' ; 77 .••/ '• -77 7" ' ; 7>v"
In May., 1974, upon arrest >in ISioux Falls , Sotith
,Dako t A, ? subject furnished an address; of 230 North Phillips
7-7 "--v" ;'7-7 ’
'^dbjfecf 7ls7Naj^i^r^7 'this AEMi > v lh
' that Nevada has no significant AIM. activity and from inf or-.
mation set out above> ; it; is requested that the Bureau 7/77' :^
7l designate who should be the Of flee of Origin in this case*; ;
‘ - ■> i -i
7^7 77::“'?7>'2''' :; 7
^D-128 (Ej,$v. 3-12-74)
,
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10
MAY 1962 EDITION
GSA GEN. REG. NO. 27
UNITED STATES GjyVERNMENT
Memorandum
Director, FBI (Bufile - 157-29508
) DATE:
9/17/74
sac, LAS VEGAS (157-1265) (RUC)
SUBJECT: JOHN FRANCIS TR UDELL, aka
EM - AIM
Re Las Vegas letter to Bureau, 8/23/74 and Bureau
0-7 dated 9/10/74.
The captioned individual has been the subject of a security or extremist investigation by this office. The
: Division has verified the permanent presence of the subject in its division
aft rpsidintr and wnrkine at. the addresses listed below. The Mi WlGHpOliS .Division is
as residing and working at the addresses listed below. The
being considered the new Office of Origin.
Business Address, Name of' Employing Concern and Address,
Nature of Employment, and Union Affiliation, if any.
Childrens Foundation
Washington, D. C.
Key Facility Data
Geographical Reference Number
Identification Division Data
Check OR note the following applicable statements:
I 1 A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUSI
^Residence address
230 North Phillips Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
. Responsibility .
| | A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUSLY placed in FBI # i ; therefore, copy of this form is
designated for Identification Division.
1 1 A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUSLY placed in Identification Division; however, FBI number is NOT KNOWN.
* The following information, therefore, is being furnished and a copy of this form is designated for Identification Division.
Date and Place of Birth:
Other Identifying Numbers:
Fingerprint Classification:
NOTE: Do NOT designate COPY of FD-128 for Identification Division if FD-165 previously RETURNED to field off|^e
because no fingerprints located on su bject. • ^ .
Check the following applicable statements:
| | This individual is the subject of an ADEX Card. (The Bureau is requested to make the appropriate changes in the ADEX at
FBIHQ. The ' Division should affix the addresses
indicated above and the appropriate case file number.) . . /
I I Subject is designated a Key Black Extremist. CW, ©fcf* A/l
\ 1 Subject is, designated a Key Activist. ' Qs/ JltlfS/ « ^7 ’ J d
PI Handwriting specimens have been furnished to the Bureau. '***•<&/ /. -r si Os* /I'-sy m
I | A photograph has been furnished to the Bureau. ^ t </a
I 1 Subject is included in the Extremist Photograph Album (EP^j^jSrhe new Office of Origin should ’
FD-432 showing the new address and Office of Origin of subject.
I I Dissemination made Secret Serv icefloe aRy re above information (Two copies of FD-366 enclosed for the Bureau) • ■
j(Lo 15 SEP 20 1974
The new Office of Origin should s
I I Dissemination made Secret Servic
$JQ f
The following pertinei^t^B^^o*re-being ^^tfTfice of Origin with its copies of this letter: ,
j | Adex Cards \ ^ j 1 Photograph of subject (check appropriate item listed bp
fXl Serials (specify) S6G fttt&CbGd^ 1 □ Negative and three copies of most recent or
I 1 Designated Office of Origin in receipt of all pertinent serials photograph
I I 2 copies of FD-366 (1 copy for dissemination □ None available /
to local Secret Service) I I Previously furnished |
^Bureau
5?Mrnleapo
27Minneapolis (157-2417)
1-L'as Vegas .
LES/skh (5)
LV 157-1265
Minneapolis in possession of Oklahoma City; report..
~~1 dated 7/11/74^ ; £ v'\: i
Enclosed for Minneapolis; are the fOl lowing serials
(1) One copy Of ^ St J Louis Forin 17 dated 8/29/74 .
(2) " Omaha FI>-306 da ted} 7/25/74. ^
;Omaha FD^306; dated! 8/2/74 .
Sources have reported vno activity in the Las Vegas
Division. , No report being submitted/: . ,.v
OPTIONAL. FORM NO. 10 ,
MAY 1962 EDITION
gsas^mr (41 agO jot-ii.e
date: 10/1/74
UNITED STATES fl^g/ERNMENT
Memorandum
to : DIRECTOR, FBI (157-29508)
>AC; MINNEAPOLIS (157-2417) (P)
subject: JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL, aka
EM - AIM
h 00: MINNEAPOLIS
Re Las Vegas letter to Bureau, 8/23/74.
In referenced letter subject when arrested at
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, May, 1974, furnished an address
of 230 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
On 9/17/74, the Las Vegas Division advised
the Bureau that Minneapolis was being considered origin
in this matter.
On 8/2/74, I l advised that TRUDELL and
American Indian Movement (AIM) National Press Secretary
GEORGE ROBERTS. Los Angeles . California, were |
| the purpose of which is unknown
to most members of the National Office. ^
LEAD r?
AT WASHINGTON, D.C.
Check passport records, Passport Division,
Department o§ State, for any information regarding subject
and GEORGE ROBERTS. Report only recent information, if
any, on ROBERTS.
mm ' /JT7- S-'iS'O f-/f
\2- Bureau (RM)
VWFO (RM) u. rr-.-
1-Los Angeles (INFO) (RM)
3-Minneapolis ^
(1-157-3481, AIM Foreign Influence and Travel)
RKTrdea
*,<»).
“ ^ lHi'4
0 8 19 }
Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Bay roll Savings Plan
</*//-
OPTIONAL FORM NO, 10
JULY 1073 EDITION
GSA FPMR C41 CFR) 101-11.6
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum *
t
TO
DIRECTOR, FBI (157-29508)
date: 11/19/74
FRO]
SAC, WFO (157-6372) (RUC)
subject: CHANGED /#
JOHN FRANC IS^kUfeELL, aka
John Francis-^rown
EM- AIM
( 00 : MP )
Title is changed to include the name JOHN FRAN
BROWN, as suggested by subject’s passport file.
ReMPlet to Bureau 10/1/74.
Fi les of Passpor t Office, Department of State, re-
viewed by SCI Ion 11/6/74, disclosed Passport Num-
ber E 1371426 was issued to JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL on 7/18/74,
at Los Angeles, California, for proposed vacation travel for
two weeks to England and France. On his application dated
7 / 18 / 74 , at Los Angeles, subject stated his intention to de-
part and return by air, giving 7/24/74, as his approximate
date of departure. He did not indicate whether he expected
to take another trip abroad within five years and said he had
not taken previous trips abroad within the last twelve months.
This passport expires 7/17/79, and is valid for travel to all
countries except Cuba, North Korea, and North Vietnam.
It is pointed out that, under current passport regu-
lations, a passport may be used by the bearer for lawful travel
within the period of its validity whenever and as often as de-
sired without further notification to the Department of State
or other government agency. The Passport Office does not re
ceive information as to whether or when a passnprt is used fo ?
foreign travel,
REC-8
1
jiT-35
□3 MOV 19 1974
(In
Bureau
1- Denver (Info)
1- Las Vegas (157-1265)
1- Los Angeles (Info)
3- Minneapolis (157-24.17) (Enc. 1)
(1 - 157-3481, SIM Foreign Influence and Travel)
1- Oklahgma City (157-1521)
1- WFO
MB : smd
( 10 )
Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Bay roll Savings Flan
%
WFO 157-6372
Subject stated he was born 2/15/46, at Omaha, Nebraska,
and his file shows his birth certificate in the name JOHN
FRANCIS BROWN was seen by passport authorities. Fi le contains
Affida vit dated 7/15/74 signed bv I I andl
| who gave their address as I
California. This Affidavit reads : ~ ’ b(
"We, the undersigned, knew JOHN FRANCIS BROWN
when he was born in Oma ha. Nebraska 15 February .
1946, to: RICARDA BROWN, I
I I We also knew JOHN FRANCIS BROWN^when he c ^
was subsequently adopted by CLIFFORDffRUDELL in
1946. Furthermore we also knew that' JOHN FRANCIS°
BROWN was subsequently and thereinafter known as
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL."
Subject gave his permanent residence as Box 117
Owyhee, Nevada 89832 , and requested his passport be mailed
in care of Inca, Incorporated, 1500 Pacific Avenue, Venice,
California. He gave his home telephone number as (702)
757-3278 and his business number as (213) 392-5761. A no-
tation on subject’s application shows his passport was mailed
to his home address 9/5/74 .’
Subject did not Identify his father on his pass-
port application. He listed his mother as RICARDA BROWN , .
(deceased), born at Ingles, Kansas, in 1927, a U.S^ > cit^zem.
He said he was last married 12/5/71, to M ARUREEN T jjMANNINdWP^
who was born at Owyhee , Nevada, on 1/18/^D~. a citizen, of the '
U.S., mai^'iage rTot terminated , and requested she be notified
in the event of accident or death at Box 117, Owyhee, Nevada
89832. ‘ ' ”
Subject was described as 5*7", brown hair, brown
eyes, and tattoo on left hand. His occupation was shown as
writer and his Social Security Number as 507-56-9115* Identi-
fying document (s) submitted shown as:
s ’w
"USNR 10 (Non-PO) 689 ~6J^2$\( JOHN FRANCIS/ TRUDELL )
Card 1817602 iss 6 - 2-67 " * ' ‘
Sel Serv 4-129-46-422 iss. 6-29-67 (JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL)"
Photograph of JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL, from passport ■
file is enclosed for Minneapolis.
2
WFO 157-6372
I #
A search was caused to be made of the current files
b6
b7C
checks are not made of the retired files of the Passport Office
unless a date and/or place of birth is known.
If any of the foregoing information, including photo-
graph, is disseminated outside the Bureau, the source must be
changed to "United States Government" records. The actual
source must then be shown on the administrative page as the
Passport Office, Department of State..
WFO indices contain no identifiable information
regarding subject.
For the information of Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles,
and Oklahoma City, copy of this letter is being sent because
of changed title.
of the Passport Office, and SC I ~| was advised on 11 / 6/74
no identifable record could be located regarding |
on the basis of information furnished. It is to be noted
3
F B I
Tu*3®. (key. 5-22-64)
» V.
transmit the following in
Via AIRTEL
Date: 3/18/75
(Type in plaintext or code )
AIRMAIL
(Priority)
FROM:
DIRECTOR, FBI (157-29508)
SAC, MINNEAPOLIS (157-2417) (P)
n « y/
■ 4\M
SUBJECT: JOHN FRANCIS TR UDELL fa /
EM - AIM ' o IS L
00: MINNEAPOLIS fe/V'-.'W
Re Bureau 0-1, dated 3/6/75. ^
Enclosed for the Bureau are five copies of above /
captioned and dated LHM. Enclosed for Los Angeles and San Francis<
are two copies each of above captioned and dated LHM for lead r
purposes. Enclosed for Las Vegas are two copies of above LHM for
information.
Minneapolis does not plan on making local dissemination.
The FBI employe e that reviewed subj ect’s military
records was Special Clerk |
The identity of MP T-l is
and MP T-2 is
The identity of the FBI employee who examined subject 'Is
files at United States Passport Of f ice . Department of State, (
Washington, D.C, , was Special Clerk |~ I
Minneapolis has no characterization for
Bureau (Enc ,^lf)^^M)
2 - Los Angeles (Enc. 2) (RM)
2 — San Francisco (Enc. 2) (RM)
2 - Las Vegas (Enc. 2) (INFO) (RM)
j!. ~ Minneapolis Agency: Secret Service.
RKT:jmi Dept. -
AAG Criminal Div. '
Attn : IS S C
How forwarded
/Da te 3 / vri
r ' By 1 ?
GC 3 (Lit . Unit )\
kU
' A?
t
S, MM 21 *'■
As#
'Approved:
.M Per
Bpeciil Abent in Charge
U.S. Government Printing Office: 1972 — 455-574
MP 157-2417
LEADS '
LOS ANGELES
AT LOS ANGELES . CALIFORNIA
Wil l identify subscriber to telephone number
I and determine if affiliated with the American
Indian Movement (AIM).
SAN FRANCISCO ; /
AT, SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA c;
Wil l identify subscriber .Aft telephone number
I and determine if aflralMted with ADI. ‘ '
w 2* -
'i' ^ - ? * * " )>1 ’: ^ /*V i' ; i* : £! ! . v / m • *& . /.-..Vv . ', v v - ;’/&v
.. . '* w : V .*. v ••.*• ■^ : '\'>- , *.;^i^ > i? -‘ m ' ■■;' \\ ; ♦: y\i :A . •
• ; #^7 -; .\ .77 v ; 7 ; -' 7 ^ v: • dt| ~\ /■•■:. , -i;.-. ■.'*'• 7^j.
^’•: : ■■;>•' 77 7 7 ' ;{> "
" • “■'*• PT'TM’P Al DTITJ I? A TT'nr: TTVT\r r'orrr/1 * rn t/^tvt. , 1 . '" •*■ ...
FEDERAL BUREAU OFpINVESTIGATibN ; 7, '.
-M-->: ; .",VV '.-<•; 'im-i *.' .•’ *'' : VMarch' / i;8 # t.;ijwr5‘*i 7.
^■K^y;C’ : V • - JOHN FRANCISTRUDELL -•-•T^T.; {77 7
7 ^bis : .>inv©^i;^tioRi' isbased on inf or mat ipn wMch 7--/-.' : '
: .indicates-- John Francis , Trudell is engaged in activities which
could involve a violation of Tit id ^8/ United States Code V
r; Section 23 83 (Rebe llion or ; ' 1 m or 238i {Seditious 7
: ; Conspiracy) , "as {indicated teieaf ter John Francis Trudell -
7has-' been identified as being activeiy involved in militant ■-.
vac t ivl t ies of the American lnd ian M . ( AIM) ; v Since
i; January 1873, AIM-ibas; been^kc^lve ly involved . ; ;in', demonstrations
;,and violent:/ confrontations with''' '.local authorities;'- iri-V;-i 7 . -V,-’
•Scottsbluf f , Nebraska* andithe; Rapid iJity^ v and CUste^ f.
; of {South Dakota. Er pm February 27 through May 8* 1973 , AIM V
pleaders and members' ;ai^7thb occupied the ,v.
{community of Wounded; ^ South Dakota, by force of arms
- taking .a.;, number of 1 the community's residents as hostages . -77,
Before surrendering to Federal- authorities, they engaged in
numerous .violent .and {destructive {acts and iiinf ire wasr*
\ exchanged with Federal; authorities resulting in the > death
7of twbv of the insurgents. 77v-7777 : 7.7.7 7-.77
777 77777 A characterlzation of r the AIM and Wounded Knee -
are set - forth in appendix page "attached hereto. : 7777;{7
: -/i: 7'.77';'T ^7777 • 7 ./7 { -77 : 7 77 {{ Sources: whose identit ies . are -
77.7 77 J’.77f 777.7. 7<. : “'7 - 7;cbncealed .'herein- have- ' ‘0- ; .
7 ;■-. 7>.t _ : : ;7 ;777.7>; furnished reliable .iiiforma-
77 {777 77 '777 •' ' ; -v'';tiOn -in the {past except where ;
77' 777 ' 77 otherwise ttofedv--'7.V ! {{7{ i . 7 -7 .
" ?xi ' • v1 ‘> .r* ••• : • -‘ t .I : C , 7 ^' J ■'* / ^ ‘
This document; contains neither recOmmenda t ions 7 ;
hor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI .
and; is" loaned tofyour agencyij; it, and its contents are not to
be distributed outside your/ agency . • ‘
arm
v*y
' • * ' ' '■ ■ # v' ' , .■■•■'■. • ' * ’ ' ’:- " ” ■ •
JOHN FRANGiS TRUifflLL
r Oh' Oc t Ober ; 7 ; '1974 , '• J6hn Franc is ££;'.
; : . • ;v r mi li tar y service records were, reviewed' at the National :' : \
-.Personnel Records Center ' (NPRC ) / St. Louis, Missouri; ' and in
XXMXX ;''enmmaj^y revefiie^ ;^he olidwing , information; y ,/ ■' : ■ - ' ; . XX
; '■' jt'-.: • V; 1 X . , **/:■ \‘ !;• V.\" »’ *' -.*/% • . - r 7'.“ T ‘ .% V-’«. . • . • . , V.V ! *’\'.\ * > •- ' V < . ..'•,
--j/t: .•;••' v^./i'Trude.ll^ served;; in the ; United 'States’. Navy; -from ■/.. \
%X . - August 9, 1963 , until .June 2 , 1967. His military service
r : v number was 689 63 25 arid he attained a rank and commensurate
:■ • XXX pay grade of E-2 . /During his tour’ of duty, he served on a
’ v USS Isle Royale (AO-2 9) and tbe USS Brinkley ;Bass (DD887) .
.His records ref lect that he was awarded the National Defense
' ’ ^Service Medal, ; the' Vietnant ServiceyMbdal with two stars, and ‘ .
X\}X:'X the ^Vietnam Campaign Medal,:/ for service during the Vietnam r }
• ;Conf liciv;’ ’ -.The.; recbrds; ; f urth^ that he received an -y ..
s *; //>;’, \ : to6n$rabl&-\4is<bhaz,g$ : r -'-'\a$£to was X
ihsuedy at-, the t ime of/separation . . > The ' records f ur ther ref lect
p'X -that- Trade l'ly#as'/iiailed''' his" .Genera 1 Discharge 'Cert if icate , , : .
. /disc bar ging him ir om the Naval, Reserve oh February 10,. 1970,
' :; ;-X-XX [ While residing ht 690 west, 8th ‘ Street , San Bernardino;
XXXXXxXfX-X X : }X'X . - : X' : XtH ".
y. XXXXMX.iX'X y XXX A review ; of personai . data contained in above records;,
y •H^ : i'*dy^Ied. the ? following ab^ . XXXX -XX' 'XX
^’’v/V/ /•'< 'T is listed as February 15, ; ;
i946, hie completed /they 10th grade /in school ; . had an AFQT
T ^:y;’; : ;.;score;, ; 6f 058, ; enlisted in the Navy at Omaha, Nebraska, >
iXXXXX'r listed., his re ligion .as Roman Catholic, Social Security Number
XXXXXt 507 - 5679 II 5 ,, , listed/ his home address as Kennard, Washington
\ ; County ; . Nebraska; . and. is 5 ' 6 J” ta II , weighs l30 ; pounds,
■f-. i; cytiy 'race American Ind ian , brown hair / brown eyes , and r uddy /'/.■
;:XXXX complexion. ;. The; records ref lee ted numerous tattoos on both
/ : vy''y-',../arms ,and hands. At the time of his enlistment, the records
reflected that^ /ibe. {wail-, npt married; and had no, dependents .
i V- \P' X- The r ecords listed Ricarda (Elmanza) Brown ^ .deceased ,/ as his /
;; y • mother, ^ Cliff or dy^osephWM^ fCennard, N^Ma s Rn» his
Xi : stepfather and^ ^ ilouisX Smith)^ vKenhaxd^ . Nebraska,
: Vy jas' his ; stepmother \V ; These : records 7 i ; ihatyiTrude.li . • :•
s . ’ ' attended Center ,H igh 'School / Center , Nebraska / ; ft oA 1 961-1 963 , .
" .i:i:3/y;i'',;VBlairy'High Schodi/,';)91aii/ Nebraska, from. 1 96 0-1 961 , .and ■■
■ , Kenhaf’d: Ptiblic ischobl, ^ , l Nebraska ,' from 1958^1960. . •
. : f f f ■Trudell, ; accor ding vto. the records, : was employed i b^? Marshall ;
'* r y Nurseries,, Ariinton, Nebraska, from April 1963, to May 1963 , .{•.
•; leav ing tO enlist in t he . Navy , :■ •’ XX - ;> ; /;/'
;'. •. A\ ■'?.$? iew4;of •.•his ; performance record while- serving ■
.;'iy/'):-'i'h:yt^S‘N^ '•bev'hddy’ah overall :!'tra^ V
:V‘ V • *. .’s< v , t ^/ vr .,V y \ 7 a :V •' ’ ; 4 . w .* . - - • . •
• • : V • ;>.'4 ; ’X]*y*X j : V“'. : ;^.Svs.o ^ ^ ?'*•“* ■» -
. ^ ; 7 • k -.v^jT- — ^'? ''•!■?* r .:.r t -^ / 'ey ^ #&'P t V'&' • * v . ‘ '. • ■-*
Vii"; '^VhU < 4' )> *»£f V:?' vj: T : ": ;'-• ' '•;.* -
* J ^'iV- >.' ’"V ’■ '- -■ ■■'’•’ ■•-
- :# Si: '-^ =^> ; ; -'^ •, • 7 ^}y /. , . jjK
,^;v^:t4 : : •, / JR-- - % ®. ; .
JOHN FRANCIS ' TOUPEE S W '_ ;)/ ' ! y[W & ; : ' '
was 3 .03 based on ; a 4. 6 rating system* with a military ■'••
behavior rating of 2; 83. . The record revealed* that he Was < . ;
: ; jbdi^a^^tp/ : he;';ia . ;*fiir^ . .. : ; •;.. -v Cjyy^. \' : "
£ • : : y ■■ : "' r V ; •'-. Zy’C^y •• /; -
l ;. c . ; •;/>;.• A review .'of Trude 11 * s disciplinary records > "';
revealed the following^: ■■■'■■■. y.: )'■}.}.. 'y'y .;, '‘\ .V' ; ) ).:.:
•? v)' V^Cfr ; On April *6* 198$*; he -received commanding officer’s
Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP^for unauthorized absence , : ,
and fal lure to obey a lawful order. “''• He was found guilty; and
awarded. 30 daVs correctional custody and. forfeiture . of: hi If
-pay / for 'one' month/7 -'. . ; V . ..: V )c ; v - - ' 'y
On January 27, 1965, he was awarded a Summary
courts. martial for; unauthorized absence nnd for; missing the .
movement ; of his ship; .jHe was found guilty and Was conf ined
at hard labor for >30 days and reduced in rank to pay grade.
Erl. This record revealed that Trude 11 executed the 30 days
confinement at hard labor and was not reduced in rank by the;
rev iew ing author i ty .. : y.y . ?'
'yy--yyy. y On September 30,; 1964) Trude 11 was awarded a Summary
courts martial for unauthorized absence, was found guilty
and sentenced' to43..Q;dnys hard labor without confinement; '
'On March;, 2, 1964, he; was awarded a Special cotta* ts
martial for unauthorized -absence, was found gUilfy And whs ■. /;
sentenced to be confined at hard labor for a period Of three ;
months to forfeit $50) pay per month for period of three months
and te be reducedV : tb pay grade E-l . . The records reflect
that Trude 11 served two months of above confinement ^forfeited
$50j pay per month for v two months And was redUced to pay grade
E-l v 'v' : ->v •; :i'?: ' ‘ V',' y- ; . ?. .•
■ On 0c tober 4 , ' . 1974 , . MP T-l , a source* who has .•■
jprOvided reliable informAtion in the pset, Advised that:
Trude 11 was not considered leadership material for the
American Indian Movement (AIM).? So\irce advised ?, that he has
good rhetOricai delivery nud is considered to be an agitator; v
Source advised thAt in the past Trudell has openly And
ac t ive ly supported; sever Al ..minor it y activist movements and
tr avels extensively) • Source advjsed that TTudeli has resi ded
at | ‘ 1 | \
| 1 Source advised thAt
iTuaexiTS immediate rami iy ties are in Nevada;- ; ; i
;•? V iOn/OctObcir- 21; ?l0?4 , captioned article^ '’DAmn Others
Philosophy Hitj^i which appeared in the Lincoln,, Nebraska,
Star newspaper , a published; daily of general circulation ;
adv ised that . John Trude 11- * “The Nat ional ChairmAn of the AIM, ”
'•-. -''•'"^‘TT’-.-v • <.;,*^ - -;>v^ .; ■~:?\' f t'. S r < f: *>-£.; •- .^‘v- .;•'. • .-/ “ - .'?; ':•. .-.-• •'•^^"•v i-*-
!*■/$ ; •*- .'*^, > .’••• .?■ *•. a » •*. ,• > ‘ • v y^ s *r.v . *.?:•• ■’'•/. < * : ' ?• *?V: :4 — ’* ?.-.<' y \ :
c«.. •• /VMr-v^ /..;:r ; : ■ f .xUy ,\ ■ • •: , .- : ?<s y* z /sty •*•! • .• . ■• ••,
»,> /• * \;.y k - '-.:-.’’’? j/'V * '. ••'• ' .''^j^.
; ■
., •■ ** *<
J .;.>*• ft -j.-
JOHN FRANC IS 0 ; <rV- ■• If ;3
stated ■ philosophy ‘■pi.v"d^n;. ....
everybody else, just ;'{so I can get : whiat I want ,■ ” • is the /type
, 5 £-
’ ’ : “ 1 v-'v, ' '.. ■V .
't;i>
of thittkirig that has'”6reated the Richard Nixons, the Spiro
Agnews and the Dick 5Wiisdns ,r of the coiintry. The article ;
adyiseH that. Wilson: is the Tribal Chairman ph South Dakota ’ s f
Pine Ridge IndianVRPkbf vatibh . ? /The article further advised
thai ihrudeil said /t^t/fhis^Rl^ also lay behind the ;/
efforts to ’’suppress*’ the 1973 ebcupation of Wounded Knee,
South Dakota, and /the trials respiting from the incident.
The article .fiw'thef.' adyiised,;;that Tr udell said the Government;/;
uses the law like you usei.’buiiets'. in that/: the . ^government
is using it to destroy US;. ” The article advised that* Trudell
spoke about Indian ireaty rights, the desire of Indians to ,
CX;/; . /• -1 iyS;''as free people and; about treaty- law’.. : : Trade 11*. according
to ..the article, proposed that-, all Indian 'treaties •••should.//
’> be /.hdndred /by g"iving i ;:a : lternate 1 .lands to the tribes if ..the--.
r.^y - ia n d.’ ; in^ the : treaty sett lement /is • already ' developed. Trudell, ;•
v'v^:>//ih-. : ’ the article , stated that the Indians wanted the. land because
aiil always be there,; while money,- the usual compensation,
is transient.; The article advised that Trudell, a Santee
Sioux , > called for aii end to all/ Wounded Knee, related, trials ,
Say ing; "There is no.: such thing as a fair trial. *’ The
article; further /advised that; Trudell stated, /the Government
is ."dragging us" through the .go . "se that Amer ican
consciousness can pretend at humanity . ’* The article; stated :
that JTrudeli, i n c los ing his : remarks stated Americans should •.,,
'L. . 1 V, m '■ ..‘■'m m 'm ^ _ .♦ ji.' X..X ' “1 . » _ A* • la. ^ m <3 - «|! «4 »’ £%.■ . ' X-,*,,
. * ' *
- v \ y„ ' .
I
I A v Af */* ••• ; f -rvV? "
■' - . . O' j ** . • v yj n -\ v . *'
;t t‘ * . s • ' < K- ‘ S;
begin thinking about government , because if is "the Pne
inStr ume nt”; which can by ing people^^^^ ^ ther orx keep them
at'-^pdds, v - -
; . On. • Novembfer-y 12 , 1974,; / -MP T-2 , a source who has .
furnished reliable //inf of maf ion in the past^ advised that,
information had be^'r^e^yed: indicating that Trude 11 had ,
during ’that monthv./actSd as a spokesman for New York State
Indians who pcc.upied;>;Iand- locat ed at Eagle Bay; Ne w. York;
Source was. I
’ \ . f
.^' 6 h•'•NbvelhbeiV^'■ 6 i'■;• i 974 j, ^.a. '■•’review --.of :jHhitpd/ States
. Gover mnent records revealed that United Sta tes PasspOr t Number
E 137 l 426 ; wks issued te ;/ John FranoiS Trudell eh/ July 18 , 1974 ,
at ; I^s ;Angeles^ Calif^hia, fpf 'proposed vacation travel
for two /weeks to England .and Fraeuice .
This -passpoft : expires
july:- ; l^-; : - ’1 97 9 ,• • and is*- i^iid^f or/ travel . to all countries except
o: ; O/'/Giibav^ North •Koreh-'and^NOfth’ Vietnam. Trudell, on ;his appli-,
xVvct/^^yhatioh^ ''stated;. his^intehtipn/'to-deparf- and, return by air
giving - July; approximate date of departure .
' v ? ,Z : / % •V l r ’% >/r:'k v^J. *;■ 'i* 3- < i- . •1*.’ ' ,. • ' *' V- v
■ ■„ . ■ ■ ■ , ■ , • ... , .V"-. ... L:, v ..." 1 - ,, ■ ■ ......
b7D
^txaSiai^sfxsxssXKs-®^
: Mft«te£®^:nxxwax^
'[ r * x :< *0^ W0B 0A ?-'0M M '00:00^^100^ &&I0 ■'.. ; ' vy . : ■ ' : -X
: l*Zfy0s~''*?" OX. X; - - sXX X-XX X'Xx ' ,f ''XX ijXXX-. > ■ i>. < ' :. : '/y:iz~'Q4 ; ti^'S> Xyx~-' yi’X X * X ; XJ
x;r--;x.-.x ; >: . X: '' v <Xyfx.%xX • "' i^\-UvX; x\-';~ •
>i v ;f '
x- ^hOse 7 -records ' ' f ur.tJie r .'-' revb alia <1 ^'t tv’-Trud© 1 1 lis te d hi is date .- ■ ;. \:
Xx of birth as February 15 i 1946 V at Omaha , Nebraska,; * and ref lee ted
ix^hat-i'his birth certificate in the name of J ohn Francis ; Brown x
r ; -sV-'was ; '%nsphcted by: Government authorities . Tf-udell * s f lie. : , , ,-
\ containe d hn affidavit dated July 15 , 1974 , signe ^tovl , 1
. -' r land] j who gave their address as I I , /
;?V j "' ^ l /fcalif ornia; This ' affi.dia.vit reads j • ■ '.
••>*&"' 0M0 '& ; ^«We> the undersigned; John Francis Brown - J
r^x^Vz^ ^Mfyheh - • ; W--rhnaha, ^Nebraska- 1 5 February , ■;./. "•f
x?H P sister of J •>
I '^/*Wtieiie#v John;. Fra ncis BrownWenn e . , • v • ,,
. by 1 I in ’ / x
•■•^K^* ; T-946 . • •'.Furthermore-; we also knew that John - Francis .
$ X : i ;iElrown waLS/ subSeduentlyyand thereinafter known as y. .;. • •
At ri i?£ y000 : xi "> x - ' ■ • ’*/:•;
- .;'• :W v*!? 1 jy J j>
\: * V. V' !‘‘V v-.
, , J. ._. t ; X ’ > X ■■ ■
0:0 : *TfUde 1I' : ' r^orded :: -his i jfer maned t . address : ais BOTr' ;./••.
and requested -.his .J pah?wr.t-;b'e ’
“ : %;X; mailed vin care . of ;Iri^V lnc^ 1500 Pacif ic ? ; Ayenue, / Y :
;Y Venice %. yGalif ornia L ^ih ^avfe; his home telephone number^
57^3278 and his ' bhs.iness te iephone number as, 213 -3 92-57 bi .
^i: ; it4^^htifihatioh^ori Trudeil* s application shows his, passport
^x|l : was : 'malied^to his heme- September h> f .'..
father iP n ; Ki ^ ; Uv: : .- ; >7; ' v, i V
.■passport- ^appiicatiOho.butv; listed.^ his mother as Ricarda Brown,
®v/- deceased, born a t?ingles>':<:Rhhs^V v : '1927 and-,-- that- ' r l
^ X y last ' married on December . 5 - 1971 3to Marureen Ti^annin^/^^
i who was born it^CNryheeV^Vhd^ 18^ 1950. , Trudeil
-X i"^in^UestedXtKit' ; 1s^ ; in the eyent .of^cld^it-^f
■ l i.'i ; iTiudelT%aS; ; de^rite ;as 5*7*V brown hair , brown ^ - ,-.
^;.; • ^y^is^and tattoo on his i lof t |iand.vr Trudeil shows his occupation
: 'as iyf ifer w^ith la,- socials Security, ^Number • Of ^ 507^56, ^yl'l;5 : ; : . ■ .
;::>• r > i g7^f :: MP ^ to advised' tha^ Trudeil ,: ;-
• -x.yx
***§v5. V** * r l
Iwife . ;• ^Tina > ,r inv Owyhee , Nevada* /te lepnone
number^ 7 02~757~327Si;X Source aisO advised that Tru deil. bas
b6
;■ b7C
b7D
^SOiircei continuing _advise<
T: and is considered l
Ls a cai
Orator
X^yGo^I^cember^^^ 1974, source MP • T*!'i i advised ^ that "
'Tr^udeii' haS b in the area of Ind ia.n cpnf 110 ty'demou”
St rat ions ion ger than any other 'American Indian Movement member ,
• v>v 'r *..*^7i**c«*' •'.■.* ^,.,4 v*' r * r ^- >v *:*. ■ •>' .• , .v V- •■ f v.- •>
>•/ • ,« ; « -V Vf ’>• ■*' 5.^‘. A x^V ‘'"X' r •■ v» r •’ v ' ^/. *;*. 1 . r e V T ; / .*; : * : „ 4 • *. t v • . r. .-x. *.•
v" : -^r ^ v • v:‘f *'•• ' :H is’ *<• -' T .X-; " V ■•': ; -v V ■*' X'v* ‘v .C : ‘” *■ V " * .- ■ " " - • : ' '" • ; 4, * •
•r ' r J ‘V \ ^ . -v^"'- ,. ““V ‘T- - J /--v • ; . .; i y^.- ,< •• • * -ns; c^‘ «. .- f * • . . <.. ; •. • •. ^ / ; • .. . X*. • . •' •»
:■ s .*>•>.• \VsMi *»-•-.*•.• #;:•. , •'’ "v-- .
-Vi? --V.‘ - -. TV?* . V ■ -. ^
'■; .v &'iJ*’: /' fr ..^ V; V, ?VV;vV •.'.
JOHNFRANCIS TRUDELL
• ..- ’ vV •• V> {.•••■•• • • ;.V' •- V ' V;* ■ J ir '*. '-'■- • •:*’ -,.;v; - » , .% 7'’ '. . •.
He is intelligent and extremely eloquent when he
• •iSpunhe advised; thnt";^ude II? has ,• tbe ability to meet; with a
giroiip of ; ’’Pacif ists" and in a short time have' them yelling
and screaming bright on, •••''•
. v - vC--.: ; l .J; Hr '.HH vH ;■•■ •'* ..■'•• H-v^v: * ••• ■- . , - '
/■'•;.'• Source advised; that he had learned that Trudell
has expressed openly to National AIM leaders his desire H.
•ftp kidnap someone.;; ;So\ir6e advised that he had learned, that V
the. purpose of this kidnaping would be to trade the victim :;
for something, such as dropping all charges against Alii
personnel connected with state and federal violations stemming
.from the 1973 AIM conflicts in South Dakota, and for recogni-
..;tion by the. United States Government of Indian tribes as
•sovereign nations.;' Source advised y however , that although :
Trudell talks freely, about such things he doubts ‘that ' ;
; Trudell himself would become actively involved in the exe- ,
cuti^“ ; ®bch a plot, ;' Source; advised that. Trudell is
Vextr eme Ay* unpredic tab le as to^where be w ill turn up next and
is ; very; secretive; concerning; his movements even , among close
AIM associates . The source advised that Trudell and AIM:
National Press 'Secretary,'':, George. Roberts , . Los Angeles ^ , •;
-California ,: are fairly c lose associates. Source advised, \ ^
he had ; learned that Trudell did not travel to Europe as : .
jpianned.^ ; ; .•• >:,/ • - *\ .?; ? -/v*. f ;y; • , : : - vr y. ■ ... .-.*?■ 1 ;y ,, w . . . ;
•'V? : HVH ' v -y- Ob Februaf y : , 26v- ,.i975:, : '’the Albuquerque DiV isipn ; - •. ■
vpf r the -FBl^iOpbrted^ ^;tfiiat TlrudAli was a par tic ipant;. ih v tbe ^ ;
'February 24, 1975, takeover of 1 the plant owned by the: Nava j o
IndiaA Tribe and opera ted by the Fairchild Corporatipn,
( Shiprock , - New Mexico ; by the AIM leaders of ’’Navajo. Warrior
;Socie ty . ” : i; : This t akeover .: i nvo 1 ved approximate ly 30 armed
Indians demanding pOmpehsation for laid off Indian workers,
reinstatement of two nurses fired by. the united States Public
Health Service Hospital ;; bet ter working conditions at plants ,
employing Nava jOS in the Shiprock area and complete; amnesty
f Orr the Z&- ; r*M- I’V- AV : ' • " 'y
vX'-Kii If. is noted 'that 1th is. occupation came tp an end ; .
within two weeks from pressure exerted on the occupiers by
. leaders Of the Nava: jo Indian Tribe .
. ' '’•'I- .*!- .•
s*:.
V U'
v.'j:
t . . ‘
APPENDIX
( 1 )
AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT
The American Indian Movement (AIM) was formed in
1968 at Minneapolis, Minnesota, by Clyde Bellecourt,
Dennis Banks and George Mitchell, Chippewa Indians, as a
civil rights organization. Its stated goals are to secure
Indian self-determination and the right to be and think
Indian; to eliminate the destructive tendencies of
Christianity., white-oriented education and the Federal
Government from Indian life, along with the yoke of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs.
All AIM chapters, leaders and members are not
considered to be violencerprone. Members of AIM, however,
led by violence-prone leaders, participated in the takeover
of the Buread of Indian Affairs Building, Washington, D. C.,
during November, 1972, and participated in confrontations
with local authorities, resulting in violence at Scottsbluff , .
Nebraska, and the Rapid City-Custer area of South Dakota.
From 2/27/73, through 5/8/73, these leaders with AIM
members and supporters occupied Wounded Knee, South Dakota,
by force of arms. Since that time AIM leaders, members
and supporters have been involved in numerous confrontations
yith local and Federal authorities, including the shooting
and killing of a deputy sheriff in Arizona, suid the severe
beating of two police officers in South Dakota. A county
court house, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was extensively
damaged during a disturbance at the Wounded Knee nonleadership
trials.
From 1/1/75 through 2/3/75, a group of Indians led by*
a Wisconsin AIM leader took over the Alexian Brothers Novitiate,
Gresham, Wisconsin. Subsequent court appearances by those
involved in the takeover have resulted in disturbances and
violence with minor injuries to numerous individuals
including police officers.
- 7 *
/J^E)-350 (Rev. 7-16-63)
4
(Mount Clipping in Space ■fidaw)
AIM
Laboratory
Plan. & Eval.
Spec. Inv.
Training
Legal Coun.
Telephone Km.
Director Sec'y
Trudell was' interviewed in his mod
est country home on the Duck Valley
Indian Reservation, near the Idaho-Ne-
vada border. h
“AIM is maturing a little bit,” he
said. “We’re coming to the point now
where we have a fluid membership.” % j
Trudell served as national spokes-
man for AIM when the group occupied
the Island of Alcatraz on Nov. 21, 1969.
He was chief of security during the
AIM sponsored takeover of the Bureau
of Indian Affairs office in Washington, ,
D C., in November of 1972.
Despite some disagreement among ;
tribal leaders where Trudell resides,
the AIM chairman said 70 per cent of
the Indian people relate to AIM philos*/
ophy - but he admitted they may no$j
relate to AIM’s tactics. ± _
JOHN TRUDELL
. like the old renegades
c He said were it not for community
Support, Indians would hpve closed the 4
door on AIM a long time ago, \
“We’ve caught hell from everybody s
and we’ve survived,” Trudell said. “If
the community itself did not like us, *
they’d shut the door.” j
1 Trudell and his wife, Tina, live with J
i their child, Ricarda, 2, in a white
clapboard home three miles south of
downtown Owyhee, the citadel of the
reservation.
Trudell sat in a room so small
could contain only two single
J mattresses in a corner, a couple
fee tables and nothing more. He sat
comfortably and chain-smoked as he
answered questions between puffs.
Will politics of confrontation continue
By TOMAS J.TEWIS
The Idaho Statesman ' *1
4 OWYHEE, Nev. - He is a Sioux In-1
dian f and his hair flows in the wind,! r
just as that of his ancestors did years'^ 0 be an policy. . t
ago. And like his ancestors, he is fight- “The real question and issu ,
* about the system that uses the illegal
m mfname S fs John Trudell, the 29- taaicswhenitcomestoits not dealing ;
year.old national chairman of the with issues like alcoholism and other
American Indian Movement (AIM). problems, he said. Those are the ta 4
^ - - tics that we’re concerned with. 1
“We will not change our philosophy?!
“we’re like the extension of the old:
J renegade Indian membership,” Trudell
1 said/ about AIM, the group labeled by
Jsomje as the most radical Indian organ-
ization,
6 may 22
; 1975 |
■)
[ (Indicate page, name of
newspaper, city and state.)
PAGE 1
THE IDAHO STATESMAN
BOISE, IDAHO
^ A
1975
Do,e - V 20/75
Edition: DAILY
Author: t 0 MAS J . LEWIS
Editor: R0B ert B. MILLER
Title:
JOHN TRUDELL
Character:
or
Classification: 15^7— O— 5"^
1 Submitting Office: BUTTE
| | Being ^r^estigated
and tactics are meaningless because^
you have to be realistic if someone
comes after you,” he said. “If my
chances of ending up in an institution
( are good . . . then why not stand upl-
and fight?”
(4 Trudell is a high school drop-out who
*Jater attended a two-year college with-|
ut graduating.
, * f
tsfi-
r
• /£»
* ^
8 He said he was a drunk before thd
age of 21. 1
Trudell said Indians of Duck Valley
had the highest suicide rate in tha
country back in- 1970. He blames the
high suicide rate and alcoholism in the
Indian community on oppression from
the white man.
“Indians who are alcoholics commit
emotional suicide,” he^ said. “Their
spirit has died so there’s no construc-
tive way for them to use the body.”
Alcohol is the heroin of the reserva-
tion, he said. ?
“We don’t hate white people, we’II
never fight a mart because he’s white, ■
we’ll fight him because he’s the *
1 Jenemy,” Trudell said. “We want them
to accept the truth of what the Ameri-
' can system has done to the nonwhite
people. |
“I don’t think the real enemy in this
country is the average run-of-the-mill
white man,”’ he said. “The enemy is *
the value system.”
I Trudell said AIM’s struggle, how-f
ever, begins at the race level first be-
cause “the white system has imposed .
I their culture on us and that makes Iv
■f race.”
Trudell added, “AIM, as far as I’m ,
concerned, has been the most produc-
tive Indian organization of this cen-
tlrry.”
r Trudell said he frowns* on the use of
tiie word militant when, describing
l AIM, yet he feels the Indian commu-
j nity has gone through a radical change
\ because the establishment has not
been able to “buy off” AIM.
I- “What made us such a threat to the 1
System is the fact that they couldn’t?*
Jbuy us off,” he said. . j
I “How can we be militant if we didn’t
>invent the gun?” he asked. “The white *
man does not object to an Indian, Chi-
cano or black getting, his head beat in,
but yet he’s non-viol'ent. It just doesn’t
make sense.
' .« Trudell said he has been arrested
once a year over the past four years
for his involvement with AIM. But he*
feels his days of going to jail are over,
or at least the chance is very slight
now.
y “If they arrest me on anything,
they’re going to have to work like hell
L to do it,” he said. “I’m not going to let i
f the pigs get me on anything emotional, <
It that’s why I say if they arrest me'
I tl>ey’re going to have to work for it.”
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGAT^P
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION,
NR 010 LV PLAIN
0153 PM URGENT L
)LY 17, 1975 MLP.
B 1975i
TO DIRECTOR, FBI
FROM LASA/EGAS (70-719)
x" /
/. >
: S
Assoc. Dir. - ; — - I
Dep.-A.D.-Adm | I
Dep.-A.D.-Inv jj 1
Asst. Dir.: j I
7 Admin. jk6 |
'Comp. $yst. J — - jb7C
Ext^rf^aira — ^
Ident. ~-Y tJ&i\
Inspectio^^/
Intell. |
Laboratory
Plan. & EvaL — 1
Spec. inv.
Training — - — — |
Legal Coun. — —
Telephone Rm. —
JOHN FRA NCI S^RU DELL, CRIME ON INDIAN RESERVATION - ASSAULT W I ^toirectorjetfy
DEADLY WEAPON, EXTREMIST MATTER AIM. 00: LAS VEGAS. H9 SS
SUBJECT KNOWN NATIONAL MEMBER OF AIM ENTERE,B^WYHEE JRAj)I NG
POST, DUCK VALLEY INDIAN RESERVATION, OWYHEE, NEV., APPROXI MATELYp
5:55 PM TODAY AND WITH .32 CAL. AUTOMATIC PISTOL HELD UP OPERATOR
^ h A 9 4 ' ^^ 5 ^' *
OF TRADING POST. A NQNHT'R’DIAN AND FIRED SHOT INSIDE
OF TRADING POST, | | A NO’N- INDIAN AND hlKtD bHU i iwaiut
TRADING POST. NO ONE INJURED. SUBJECT FLED TRADI N&^ROSTI N HIS CAR
la J
AND WENT TO HIS RESIDENCE, WHICH IS NEAR RESIDENCE OF ARTHU^^lft NNI NG,
TRIBAL CHAIRMAN, WESTERN. SHQSH QNE .PI AUTE TRIBE.^ DUCj^yaJJLEIJlLlAN
- ■ A "
RESERVATION. SUBJECT COMMON LAW HUSBAND OF MAU^EET&^NNI NG , DAU-
/./
-GHTER OF ARTHUR MANNING. V
BIA AND LOCAL TRIBAL OFFICERS^TE^TING TO CgHACT SUBJECT
AND CAUS SURRENDER. RESI DENCE ^XX) MPLETECY SURRO
INVESTIGATION CONTINUING LAS VEGAS.
armed and dangerous.
nr u hu iu uu iumd l ^ u w u ^ * . >
REC 22 (£ 7 ' ‘O'/J-Tr??
JUL 23 1975
MPM FBI HQ CLR
C-a. '/•-
ANOTHER OR FROM NEVADA JURISDICTION RELATIVE TO THE ASSAULT WITH
A DEADLY WEAPON CHARGE. ROBERTS SAID TRUDELL WAS THE VICTIM OF
A "TRUMPED-UP CHARGE" AND TRUDELL MERELY HAD ACTED IN AN EFFORT
TO DRAMATIZE THE PREDICAMENT OF THE STARVING INDIANS AT OWYHEE.
AS LAS VEGAS HAS ADVISED, TRUDELL LEFT THE OWYHEE INDIAN
RESERVATION IN AUGUST, 1974, AND HAS BEEN ATTENDING VARIOUS AIM
FUNCTIONS SINCE THAT TIME. HE, "-ACCORDING TO RELIABLE SOURCES,
HAD NOT RETURNED TO THE RESERVATION AND COULD NOT HAVE BEEN THERE
AT HIS TIME FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS.
IT WOULD APPEAR THE INCIDENT WAS STAGED AND MERELY AN
EFFORT ON THE PART OF TRUDELL TO GAIN SOME SORT OF NATIONAL
PUBLICITY FOR AIM AND TO EMBARRASS POLICE. IT IS NOT KNOWN AT
THIS TIME HOW THE UPI REPRESENTATIVE IN CARSON CITY WAS MADE
AWARE OF THE INCIDENT SO QUICKLY BUT THE SPEED WITH WHICH HE
ATTEMPTED TO GET AHOLD OF THE BIA OFFICER EN ROUTE TO OWYHEE
LENDS CRE DENCE TO THE TH E Off THA T^JjLI-S^W AS^A "STAGEDJ^CIDENT" .
THE BU^Iu^Vf^IRE TOCONSIDER FURNISHING THE INFORMATION
CONCERNING THIS INCIDENT TO OTHER OFFICES HAVING AIM CHAPTERS ON
INDIAN RESERVATIONS. PRESS CALLS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY LAS VEGAS
FROM ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, MOST OF WHICH HAVE HAD MISLEADING
and false information about which they inquire.
.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AT THE OWYHEE RESERVATION HAVE ADVISED
THEY INTEND TO EXCOMMUNICATE TRUDELL FROM THE RESERVATION INAS-
MUCH AS THEY DO NOT AGREE WITH HIS ACTIONS.
LOS ANGELES IDENTIFYl I THROUGH ABOVE TELEPHONE be
1 1 b7C
NUMBER. CONDUCT INDICES AND CRIMINAL CHECKS TO ASCERTAIN IF
POSSIBLE AIM SYMPATHIZER. NO INTERVIEW NECESSARY AT THIS TIME.
END ^
SJP FBI HQ ACK FOR TWO
. PLS HOLD FOR ONE
b6
b7C
NR 012 LV PLAIN
7:23 PM NITEL.JULY 18, 1975 MJH
DIRECTOR, FBI
RAPID CITY (70-10239)
PORTLAND
LOS ANGELES
FROM LAS VEj
JOHN FRANCI
IOf'3 ?EU7!C :; ]
(70-719) P 5PGS
UDELL. CIR - ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON : EM -
Assoc. Dir.
Dep.-A.D.-Adm |
Dep.-A.D.-Inv. b6
Asst. Dir.: . b7C
Admin.
Comp. Syst. . ’
Ext. Affai>sy> W|/
Files & ConWEL
>Gen. Inv. -YYA -
I dent. —
InspectioT ^fi^fi
Intell. ,
Laboratory
Plan. & EvaL
Spec. Inv.
Training
Legal Coun.
Telephone Rm.
Direptor Sec'y
AIM.^OO^, LAS VEGAS.
RELVTELS JULY 17 AND 18, 1975, AND PORTLAND TELCALL I!
RESMURS FILE.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION IN CAPTIONED MATTER, TRjjpELL^
ENTERED OWYHEE TRADING POST APPROXIMATELY 5:50 P .M^-jmSX.
APP^RENTLY'gHOPPING . HE ADVISED THE OWNER,
HE WANTEtrfO PUR(
>E A STRAW HAT. AFTER HE HAD FOUND ONE AND
AS | | WAS ABOUT TO RING UP THE SALE, TRUDELL PUU.ED A .32^
CALIBER REVOLVER ON | | AND DEMANDED ALL OF HIS CREDIT RECEIPTS..
TRUDELL TOlI
HE WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE PRICES IN HIS STORE
WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES, TOOK A HANDFUL OF
CREDIT RECEIPTS FROM THE CASH REGISTER, AND TggE^HEM UP. ^ ^
FOLLOWING THIS HE BEGAN WAVING THE PISTOL AROUND ANDH}h7lI' HE" V AS '
is JUL 23. 1975
>§MJG5
L
m ■
fscssxL er:n®i C5 imveshsatot}
CO.KliUK.!CAHQMS SE tTM
m m.
NR 005 LV iPLAlrtJ
78 05 PM .NITEL JULY, 22* 1975 A AH
: i ... / '
TO DIRECTOR, FBI
mOM/fc AS VEGAS <70-719) <P> 1 PAGE
JOHN fMaNCIS^?RUDELL1 CIR-ASSAULT W
Assoc. Dir.
Dep.-A.D.-Adm,
Dep.-A.D.-Inv._
Asst. Dir.: Jj?
Admin. - .
Comp. Syst. _
Ext^Tfairs .
4Z:W^
Inspection r flfrM
Intel 1.
Laboratory
Plan. & EvaL
Spec. Inv.
Training
] Legal Coun. _JL
Telephone Bjh£
Director Sew „
RUDELL $ CIR-ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON; EM-AIM.
003 LAS VEGAS
REMYTEL, JULY 18, 1975,
DUCK VALLEY INDIA-N: RESERVATION, OWYHEE, NEVADA, ADVISED TODAY THAT
subject Has v made arrangements to discuss incident on july 17 , 1975,
Wll’H TRIBAL COUNCIL AND
OPERATOR OF OWYHEE
GRADING POST, HAS AGREED TO MEET WITH TRIBAL COUNCIL AND TRUDELL
~ A \JJ
CHAIRMAN
ADVISED ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR MEETING WITH NEW TRIBAL
b ‘ La * ■ ~
UNKNOWN TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH
AIM BUI KNOWN ALCOHOLIC AND HAS BEEN SOURCE OF TROUBLE TO TRIBAL.
OFFICERS. , -P^ WC-93, per% 33
LAS VEGAS OF OPINION THAT MEETING BEING HELD FgR STRI^TLYS
WLITICAL AI M PURPOSES • ^**~ *~—* **^
LAS VEGAS WILL FOLLOW AND FURBISH PERTINENT INFORMATION.
ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
m
AS TRUDELL LEFT THE TRADING POST, TWO CHILDREN WERE ENTERING
THE STORE AND HE POINTED THE GUN IN THEIR GENERAL DIRECTION. HE
GOT INTO A PICKUP BEARING OREGON LICENSE AGU 705 AND WENT TO HIS
RESIDENCE. I I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE POLICE AND THE
TRUDELL HOUSE WAS SURROUNDED. WHEN TRUDELL CAME OUT OF HIS
RESIDENCE, HE HAD A .30 CALIBER CARBINE AND WAS PLACED UNDER
ARREST BY BIA AND INDIAN POLICE AT APPROXIMATELY 11*00 P..,
JULY 17, 1975, ADVISED OF HIS RIGHTS AND TAKEN TO THE POLICE
STATION AT OWYHEE. HE WAS REMOVED TO THE ELKO COUNTY JAIL,
ARRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 12*30 A.M., JULY 18, 1975.
IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT |
STATIONED IN | I RECEIVED A REPORT OF THE INCIDENT AT APPROXI-
MATELY 5:00 P.M. PDST • HE DEPARTED l | APPROXIMATELY 5:10 P.M.
FOR OWYHEE, WHICH IS | | WHEN HE WAS
APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF OF THE DISTANCE TO OWYHEE, HE RECEIVED A
CALL ON HIS RADIO TELLING HIM THAT A UPI REPRESENTATIVE WANTED
HIM TO CALL A NUMBER IN CARSON CITY CONCERNING THE INCIDENT AT
OWYHEE .
R 004 PLAIN ZV
TO: DIRECTOR
L. l > '*>■}'<> l <;**■•«<
' Xt'i’y
IV I t#
5:33 PM NITEL 7-23-75 KAW
SAC, RAPID CITY
FRQ$: SAC, LAS VEGAS <70-7 19)
JJ2WN FRANC I S^R UDELL; CIR - A
JOHN FRANC I STR UDELL; CIR - ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON ; EM
1 Assoc. Dir. . . |
Dep.-A.D.-Adpj 1
Dep.-A. D
Asst. Dir. : T ~
Admin.
Comp. Syst.
| Inspection
J Intell. — i
Laborator;)HJL-_ |
Plan. & EvaL «_ J
| Spec. lnv. — », |
Training |
Legal Conn. t
Telephone Kia, ^ ' *
Director Sec*y „„ f
^AIM, 00: LAS VEGAS
REMYTEL, JULY 22, 1975.
AT MEETING OF TRIBAL COUNSIL, DUCK j/vALLEY, INDIAN RESERVATION
OWHYEE, NEVADA, ON JULY 22, 1975, SUBJECT WANTED AUDIT
DONE ON BOOKS OF OWHYEE TRADING POST AND OTHER PRIVATE BUSINESSES
ON RESERVATION. TRIBAL COUNSIL ADVISED SUBJECT TRIBE DID NOT
HAVE MONEY OR PERSONNEL TO CONDUCT AUDIT AT THIS TIME AND j
REQUEST DENIED.
DURING INCIDENT CONCERNING TRUDELL ON DUCK VALLEY INDIAN
RESERVATION,
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS AS FOLLOWS:
RECEIVED PREVIOUS INQUIRY
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. I I WANTED TO KNOW WHY INDIANS'; X'
j&y
WERE STARVING ON RESERVATION, WHY BUREALTWv INDIAN ‘AEFATFfST' 3
WANTED TO KNOW WHY INDIANS'
DID NOT PROVIDE FOR THEM OR WOULD NOT GIVE THE|L C8flPI35.l975
END PAGE ONE
page: three lv 70-719 ^
IT IS ALSO NOTED THAT AN AUSA IN RENO AND SRa |
I carson city, were called by the up! representative con-
cerning THIS INCIDENT. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT SA ERIC L. MEALE,
ASSIGNED TO THE ELKO RESIDENT AGENCY, DID NOT RETURN TO ELKO
FROM ANOTHER PART OF HIS TERRITORY UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 8*30 P.M.,
JULY 17, 1975, AT WHICH TIME HE WAS ADVISED OF THE INCIDENT.
TRUDELL HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS TELEPHONE CALLS FROM VARIOUS
AIM CHAPTERS AS WELL AS ATTORNEYS FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE
COUNTRY.
AT TRUDELL’S ARRAIGNMENT ON JULY 18, 1975, THE MINISTER OF
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ELKO WAS THERE AT THE REQUEST
OF A MINISTER FROM OWYHEE TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO POLICE
BRUTALITY. r\J J
~1 ADmNISTRATIJ/E. ASSISTANT TO GOVERNOR MIKE
0* CALLAGHAN , ADVISED TODAY HE WAS CALLED AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00
A.M., JULY 18, 1975, BY ONE 6 EORGE^OBERTS . LOS ANGELES. CALIF ..
213-559-6760^ ROBERTS SAID HE WAS CAllTNG ON BEHALF OF JOHN
TRUDELL WHO WAS ARRESTED AT THE OWYHEE INDIAN RESERVATION YESTERDAY.
ROBERTS SAID HE WAS CALLING SINCE HE, ROBERTS, WAS CONCERNED THAT
TRUDELL MIGHT BE CHANGED FROM ONE FEDERAL LEVEL OF JURISDICTION TO
PAGE TWO
LV 7 0- 719
MR . C
PHONE NO.
z
TT
1 /"} '
J DIRECTOR OF WESTERN NATIONAL AIM,
|ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY TRUDELL
WAS ARRESTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES AND WHY HE WAS BEING ILLEGALLY
HELD. | IlNFORMEDl | THAT AIM WAS GOING TO CONDUCT
THAT
MAJOR INVESTIGATION OF TRADING POST. HE INFORMED
THEY WOULD CLOSE TRADING POSTS THAT WERE OVER-CHARGING INDIAN
PEOPLE.
WANTED TO KNOW WHY TWO OLD INDIAN PEOPLE WERE
REFUSED FOOD ON RESERVATION.
BOTH
AND
APPEARED TO HAVE RECEIVED
INFORMATION FROM SOURCES WHICH WERE FAVORABLE TO SUBJECT
AND AIM. ,
BEING SET FORTH ON
COMPLETE LIST OF NOTES MADE BY
ADMINISTRATIVE PAGES OF REPORT BEING PREPARED AT LAS VEGAS
CONCERNING SUBJECT.
ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
END
LER FBI HQ CR CLR
\
b6
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v
frOEftAL SUSEftU OF INVESTIGATION
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
NR 002 LV. PLAIN
I 2; 05 PM URGENT^OLY 18, 1975
r TO D IREpT^R, FBI
FROM LAS VEGAS (70-719) (?)
•Assoc. Dir.
4 <r / -ASSOC. . L^.
p | Dep.-A.lB-A^in
' | Dep.-A.D.-Ii^_— -
a TliV • 9
IEOlB
JOHN FRANCIS TRUD0_L , CRIME ON INDIAN RESERVATION - ASSAULT
WITH DEADLY WEAPON; EXTREMIST MATTER - AIM. 00 ? LAS VEGAS.
REMYTEL , JULY 17, 1975.
k
AUTHORIZED COMPLAINT FILED TODAY BEFORE M.S. MAGI ST^aTF^
ELKO, NEVADA, CHARGING StBJECT WITH VIOLAT ION TITLE l?, ■ V/
SECTION 113 (C), SECTION 1152, USC .
SUBJECT TO BE ARRAIGNED 2*30 PM PDT, FL KD , NEVADA. BOND
RECOMMFMDED $ 10,0 00.
ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
Asst. Dir.: .
Admin. — ^ —
Comp. Syst.
Ext' Affairs —
Files & Com. —
Gen. Inv. — —
Ident —
Inspectioiy ^- — rjf
— Intell.
Laboratory — — ^ a
Plan. & EvsJ. — 3
Spec. Inv. -- — —
Training — V —
Legal Coun. ... \ —
T elephone Pm, - —
Dtakor Sec'y
fu m
JUL 25 i 3/5
MAH FBIQHQ ACK FOR ONE
H D PL S
\ rt>y 8 7 1il§
s
Dep.-A.D.-Adm.
Dep.>A.D.-Inv_
Asst. Dir.;
Admin.
Comp. Syst. K7r
Ext. Affairs
Files & Coq
Gen. Inv.
Ident.
NR 033 LA CQ DE
PM N ITEL/^JULY 23, 1975 AXV
TO DIRECTOR
/'
LAS VEGAS (70-719)
/ f : PORTLAND
RAPID CITY (70-10239)
jFROM LOS ANGELES ( 157-10102)
JOHN FRANC I S L "TR UDELL, CIR - ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON;
EM - AIM, 00s LAS VEGAS 1 .
RE LAS VEGAS TEL JULY 18, 1975.
FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS SET FORTH CONCERNING GEORGE
CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS AS REQUESTED BY LAS VEGAS DIVISION:
GEORGE CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS IS SUBJECT OF LOS ANGELES
FILE 15 7-8939 CAPTIofeo "GEORGE CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS, EM «
AIA” AND 86- 198 CAPTIONED "GEORGE CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS,
SBA - FLIA". ROBERTS IS THE FORMER NATIONAL PRESS SECRETARY
FOR THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT (AIM) AND WAS INVOLVED -
Inspectipn^J^
Intell.
Laboratory ..
Plan. & E?aL
Spec. J n r. .
Train bijT
Legal Ci 1 . .
Telephoo'i An*
Director
7 )
LOCALLY WITH AIM.
ROBERTS HAS ALSO SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES
AND PROVIDED FUNDS TO THE COMMITTE
EE LOS IRES
:->i i
A MEXICAN AMERICAN MILITANT GROUP IN LOS ANGELES, FOLLOWING' AUG Hi 3^ -U
PAGE TWO (LA 157-10102)
THE KIDNAPPING OF PATRICIA HEARST, ROBERTS WAS INVOLVED
WITH THE CFLT IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE REGARDING
THE SYMBIONESE LIBERATION ARMY (SLA) AND HEARST . INFO
RECEIVED FROM SOURCES REFLECTED ROBERTS MAY HAVE
BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE SLA EITHER THROUGH HIS AIM OR
CELT CONTACTS. ROBERTS IS SUSPECTED OF INVOLVEMENT WITH
INDIAN AND ME XI CAN-AMER ICAN GROUPS IN FULLFILLMENT OF
EMPLOYMENT WITH FOREIGN GOVERNMENT} HOWEVER, THERE IS
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO SUBSTANTIATE SUSPICIOUNS.
IN 1975, ROBERTS POSTED $150,000 BOND FOR "LOS TRES"
THREE MEXICAN-AMERICAN ACTIVISTS CONVICTED OF ASSAULTING
A FEDERAL OFFICER. BOND WAS IN THE FORM OF PERSONAL
PROPERTY OWNED BY ROBERTS. ROBERTS SUBSEQUENTLY PLEDGED
SAME PROPERTY AS COLLATERAL ON SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
(SBA) LOAN OF $100,000 AND IS ALSO UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR
SBA VIOLATION.
ROBERTS RESIDES AT 17 AVENUE 23, VENICE, CALIFORNIA,
AND OWNS INCA ONE CORPORATION, 9014 LINDBLADE, CULVER
CITY, CALIFORNIA. THE LATTER ADDRESS, IN NOVEMBER 1974,
WAS THE LOCATION OF THE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL OFFICE FOR AIM.
PAGE THREE (LA 157-10102)
DURING RECENT MONTHS,!
INTEREST IN AIM AND
CFLT ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN QUESTIONED BY MEMBERS OF THESE
ORGANIZATIONS AND HIS CONTACTS WITH THE ORIGAN IZATIONS
HAVE BEEN LIMITED.
PERIODICALLY TRAVELS OUT OF
THE COUNTRY, EXACT LOCATIONS UNKNOWN, AND ON JUNE 23,
1975, WAS REPORTED BY SEATTLE AS RETURNED TO THE UNITED
STATES THROUGH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.
HOLD
g- C *
b6
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\nr o^sla^a in
federal BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION.
07*04 PtMjRGEIJT ' 8-4-75 BDW AU0 04iPS /
TO omftiM j TF lF tYPg ]
LAS VEGAS (70-719) “ 7
RAPID PITY \ /
FROM LOS ANGELES (15 7-10102) (P) \ /
ATTN: GJPS ^D _
JOHN FRANCIS TR UDELL J CIR-ADW ; EM-AIM ; 00 # LAS VEGAs^
A- \ '
RE LAS VEGA^ URGENT TELETYPE TO BUREAU, AUGUST 1* 1975.
FOR INFORMATION LAS VEGAS, *RUNA SIMI** IS DESCRIBED AS
AN INTER NATIONAL. NEWS LETTER REGARD Iffi INCIDENTS INVOLVING
P |gp.- A JQ
Admin.
Comp. Syst. —
I dent. / i
Inspection - A^rr *
Intel).
Labniratofcj^-J-g —
Plan. & Eval. —
Spec. Inv.
Training
Legal Coun. |;
Telephone Km.
Director Sec'y .
— -^ b7C
\ INDIANS AND. LATINS.
PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED
I BY LOS ANGELES,, IS PRESENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR
t ' vfei.
ffl
it
i
a
HAS DESCRIBED
1 “ T 1
"RUNA SIMI? AS MEANING "THE PEOPLE TALKING** IN THE LANGUAGE
OF THE INCA PEOPLE .
HOLD
7-c9 f 5
7 AUG 8 1975
/\ 1.
FJDE/iAL Su.itAU Or ii^ iO'.’iC. .TiCf!
GOMiViUN.iCATW jg-CTiOK
002 LV PLi
mEYfe
3:45 PBklJRGE NT AUGUST 1, 19 75 WRJ / / Lai
TOC DIRECTOR ® pt
tlOS ANGELES < 15 7-10102) /Tele
/ Dire
RAPID CITY / v*
FROM LAS VEGAS (70-719) CP) ' /
ATTENTION: G ID AND INTD . L ^ /
O \
JOHN FRANCIS TR UDELL . CIR-ADW; EM-AIM ♦ 00: LAS VEGAS. >
RE LAS VEGAS REPORT AUGUST 1 , 1975 , IN CAPTIONED MATTER AND
PREVIOUS LAS VEGAS TELETYPES.
Assoc. Dn\
Dep.- A.D
Dep.-A.D.-Inv _
Asst. Dir. :
Admin.
Comp, Syst. — _
Ext^Mfairs
Inspeetiom|%^r
IntoU. - mj ~ — b6
Laboratory
Plan. & EvaL — b7C
Spec. Inv.
Training )
Legal Coui^J
Telephone Kmul 1 -^
Director Sec’y ..
THIS date, THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR MIKE 0 # CALLAGHAN , CARSOI
CITY, NEV., MADE AVAILABLE A LETTER FROM
RUNA
SI MI, 9014 LINDBLADE AVENUE, CULVER CITY, CALIF., DATED JULY 30,
ifV^
|7 )
h If
1975 , TO SENATOR FRANK CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D.C. REFERENCE ON
LETTER IS "FBI MISCO ND UCT ". LETTER IN PART STATES ON JULY 17,
19 75 , J OHNJULUOEU^. NAT 10 NAL CHA IR MA N . 0 F ,T HE A MER I CA N I ND IA N
— ^ ,)ys\ , ■
MO VE PE NT , WAS ARRE ST ED BY FEDERAL ABEmBT 0 N 'WHE' DU CY ' VALLET ^ /ft~' f
ALLE' 1
INDIAN RESERVATION ON THE IDAHO-NEVADA BORDER . LETTER CONTINUES
Lie lr "
THAT WITHIN A FEW HO Iff? S OF HIS ARREST THE NEVADA FBI OFFICE AND '
CHIEF AGENT
ISSUED A PRESS STATEMENT THAT MR
~T
if Ay \
PAGE TWO LV 70-719
TR^DELL WAS INTOXICATED AND HAD ATTEMPTED TO ROB THE TRADING POST.
THESE STATEMENTS WHICH DEPICTED PR. TRUDELL AS A DRUNK CRIMINAL
%
WERE CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THE NATION ON UPI WHERE CONSIDERABLE
DEROGATORY PRESS COVERAGE WAS NOTED.
| STATES THAT WHAT HAS COME TO LIGHT BY THIS ACTIVITY
HAS BEEN THE MANIPULATION OF THE MEDIA BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
| STATES SUCH ACTS ARE IN VIOLATION OF MR. TRUDELL’S
CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES OF DUE PROCESS UNDER THE LAW. IN
ADP IT ION , IT RAISES THE SIGNIFICANT QUESTIONS TO THE LIMITS OF
BEHAVIOR OF THIS GOVERNMENT AGENCY UTILIZING THE NATIONAL MEDIA
TO DISSEMINATE MISINFORMATION TO DISCREDIT AND DEFAME POLITICAL
DISSIDENTS.
CONTINUES, BASED ON THE FOREGOING OBSERVATIONS
IT IS REQUESTED YOU PROPOSE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION TO RESTRICT
THE FBI OR ANY OTHER AGENCY FROM PARTICIPATING IN SUCH ACTS.
A COPY OF THE LETTER IS NOTED FOR SENATE A® HOUSE JUDICIARY
COMMITTEES.
LOS ANGELES TELETYPE JULY 23, 1975, IN CAPTIONED MATTER
IDENTIFIED AND CHARACTERIZED! | AS| I
AND WAS INVOLVED IN
WITH AIM.
THE ATTENTION OF THE BUREAU IS DIRECTED TO LAS VEGAS TELETYPE
PAGE THREE LV 70-719
. «■*
JULY 18, 1975 , WHICH SETS FORTH SUMMARY OF FACTS SURROUNDING THE
VIOLATION IN THIS MATTER AS WELL AS THE INFORMATION THAT
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DUCK VALLEY
reservation RECEIVED A CALL FROM A UPI REPRESENTATIVE IN CARSON
CITY , NEV. , REQUEST IMS THAT I ~l CALL HIM CONCERNING THE INCIDENT
ON THE DUCK VALLEY RESERVATION INVOLVING TRUDELL. IT IS APPARENT
INFORMATION WAS FURNISHED TO UPI BY UNKNOWN INDIVIDUALS IN THE
HOPES OF ATTRACTING NATIONAL PUBLICITY.
FOLLOWING THE ARREST OF TRUDELL BY BIA AND TRIBAL INDIAN
POLICE , THIS OFFICE DID NOT ISSUE ANY PRESS RELEASE WHATSOEVER .
PRESS INQUIRIES WERE ANSWERED AND THE OM.Y INFORMATION FURNISHED
TO THE PRESS WAS THE FACT THAT TRUDELL HAD BEEN ARRESTED BY BIA
AND INDIAN POLICE AND THAT THE FBI HAD FILED AN AUTHORIZED COM-
PLAINT CHARGING TRUDELL WITH VIOLATION OF TITLE 18, SECTION 113(C)
AND SECTION 1152, U.S. CODE, AS WELL AS THE INFORMATION THAT HE
WAS ARRAIGNED BEFORE A U.S. MAGISTRATE IN ELKO, NEV.
HAS ALSO TELEPHONICALLY
IN ADDITION TO THIS LETTER J
CONTACTED GOVERNOR 0 ’ CALLAG HAN* S OFFICE STATING TRUDELL WAS THE
VICTIM OF A "TRUMPED UP CHARGE" AND THAT TRUDELL MERELY HAD ACTED
IN AN EFFORT TO DRAMATIZE THE PREDICAMENT OF STARVING INDIANS AT
b6
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b6
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PAGE FOUR LV 70-719
THE DUCK VALLEY RESERVATION. HE HAS ALSO WRITTEN GOVERNOR
O’CALLAGHAN’S OFFICE AS WELL AS THE U.S. MAGISTRATE IN RENO
REQUESTING THAT FBI CHARGES BE DISMISSED AGAINST TRUDELL AND THE
MATTER REFERRED TO THE INDIAN TRIBAL AUTHORITIES AT DUCK VALLEY.
IT IS APPARENT THAT THE MEMBERS OF AIM AND THEIR SYMPATHIZERS
FELT THE MATTER WOULD BE HA®LED BY TRIBAL AUTHORITIES AND THEY
WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THE FBI CHARGES AGAINST TRUDELL AND ARE
GOING TO ANY LENGTH TO HAVE THEM DISMISSED. IT IS MY BELIEF THE
CHARGES FILED AGAINST TRUDELL SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED AND THE
matter taken into federal court.' usa,las vegas is aware of my
POSITION IN THIS matter AND STATES HE CONCURS WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
THE BUREAU WILL BE KEPT ADVISED OF ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
AND FACSIMILE OOPY OF THE LETTER FROM l I WILL BE FURNISHED
TO THE BUREAU.
NO RECORD RUNA SIMI IN LAS VEGAS IN) ICES. LOS ANGELES
SEARQH It© ICE S AND FURNISH LAS VEGAS ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING
THIS ORGANIZATION.
END
PMJ FBI HQ ACK
^p^onal. form no. to
.MAY 1 962 EDITION
v ' G6A FPMR (41 CFR) iot-lt.6
? UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT v
RROM
subject:
date: 8/15/75
DIRECTOR, FBI
, LAS VEGAS (70-719) (P)
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
CIR - ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON;
EM - AIM
00 ; Las Vegas
Re report of SA ERIC L. MEALE dated 8/1/75.
0
T 1*39 Z
£*•
Transmitted under separate cover via registered
mailf is the following listed evidence:
't
1. Package of torn credit receipts
2. .32 caliber cartridge
3. .32 caliber slug
' 4. Empty Hawaiian Punch can
L 5. Fingerprint card of JOHN TRUDELL
f ": , On 7/17/75, subject fired a .32 caliber pistol in
< > "silt he Owyhee Trading Post, Duck Valley Indian Rese rvation. Owyhee .
Arp ^ ^faevada , which bullet passed close to the head of I 1
g I owner and operator of the Owvhe e Trading Post . The
££ -^bullet lodging in the wall in back of I I
B^The bullet passed through the Hawaiian Punch can before lodging
• 1~» in the wall.
fc ' t3
The torn credit charge slips were torn up by the
r-> Subject and thrown on the floor of the Owyhee Trading Post,
e ‘"Prior to the subject leaving the premises.
f
The FBI Laboratory is requested to examine the
cartridge and the bullet to determine the type of weapon
/ from which the bullet was fired. Examine the path of bullet j
to determine, if possible, the angle from which the gun was fired,
prior to the bullet lodging in the wall of the Owyhee Trading Post,
3) - Bureau
^ (1 - Package Copy)
2 - Las Vegas
ELM.: imw
(5)
REC 17
'UfiJi,S197S , /
\do.<
Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan
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PC-M1239 QY
157-29508
Trans, page: No dictation
Result of examination:
Specimen Q1 is a .32 Auto caliber jacketed bullet
which has been fired from a barrel rifled with six lands and
grooves, right twist. The Q1 bullet appears to bear some
microscopic marks of value for comparison purposes should a
suspect weapon (s) be located.
Specimen Q2 is a.. 32 Auto caliber cartridge case
of Federal manufacture. The Q2 cartridge case appears to bear
some microscopic max’ks of value for comparison purposes should
a suspect weapon (s) ""be located.
Among the weapons producing rifling impressions
like those present in specimen Q1 are .32 Auto and 7.65 mm
models of Smith and Wesson, Ceska Zbrojovka, Walter, Llama,
Dickson, Galesi, Astra and numerous 1 *. Spanish-made pistols.
An angle of approximately 21 degrees with the
horizontal is formed by the two holes present in the Q3 can.
You are being separately advised regarding the
results of the requested latent fingerprint examinations and
as to the disposition of the "Also Submitted" items.
Specimens Q1 through Q3 are being returned to
your office under separate cover by registered mail.
/ /
I'lBl LATENT FINGERPRINT
SECTION
file"
lc *£-f)io\
V287 (REV. 3-19-75)
1-26/ (REV 3-19-75)
if
f? / ■ «
^RECORDED
8/25/75
csl
%
LATENTS
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Laboratory Work Sheet
To: SAC, Las Vegas (70-719)
Re: JOHN FRANCIS TRIIDELL
CIR - ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON;
EM - AIM "
00: Las Vegas
Examination requested by: Las Vegas
Reference:
Examination requested:
Specimens received:
Q1
Q2
Q3
/S~7
FBI FILE NO.
LAB. NO.
YOUR NO.
Examination bp : j
PC-M1239 QY
Letter 8/15/75
Firearms - Fingerprint
8/21
Bullet
Cartridge case
Empty Hawaiian Punch can
b6
b7C
Also Submitted:
Package of torn credit receipts
Fingerprint card of JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
3787F
La bora*ory Transmittal Form
7-72 >
€
~m — #
.LABORATORY
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20535
SAC, Las Vegas (70-719)
October l#, 1975
From: Director, FBI
FBI FILE NO
LAB. NO.
.57-2.9508
Re: scm frahcis mjwiis
cm - ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON ;
- AIM . _ ;=
.00: Las Vegas ‘
Examination requested by: Las Vegas
Reference:
Letter 8/15/75
Examination requested: Firearms - Fingerprint
Remarks:
Enclosures (2) (2 Lab Report)
FC-M12S9 QY
[ MAILED 10
OCT 1413/5
'’FSi
M ur E A&SIINISTRATIYE.
I1'TP v 6RMATI01I in
IGATIVE REPORT
ADMINISTRATIVE PAGE
MAIL ROOM |
TELETYPE UNIT |
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20535
to: SAC, Las Vegas (70-719) October 14, 1975
FBI FILE NO- 157-29508
■' ’ LAB. NO. • PC*M12S9 QY
Re: JOHN FRANCIS TEUBELL
CZB - ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON;
Ell - AZH
Specimens received
Ql
02
Q3
8/21/79
Bullet
Cartridge case
Empty Hawaiian Punch can
Also Submitted :
Package of torn credit receipts
Fingerprint card of JOHN FRANCIS TRUQELL
Result of eaaminatlons
Specimen Ql is a .32 Auto caliber jacketed bullet
which has been fired from a barrel rifled with sis lands and
grooves, right twist*. The Ql bullet appears to boar some
microscopic marks of value for comparison purposes should a
suspect weapon (s) be located.
Specimen Q2 is a .32 Auto caliber cartridge case
of Federal manufacture. The 02 cartridge ease appears to bear
some microscopic marks of value for comparison purposes should
a suspect weapon (s) be located.
Among the weapons producing rifling impressions
like those present in specimen Ql are 132 Auto and 7.65 mu
models of Smith and Wesson, Ceska Ebrojovka, Walther, Llama,
Dickson, Galesi, Astra and numerous Spanish-made pistols.
Rage 1
(Over)
OFW/dpl (4)
* V'' #
The two bolee lit the Q3 can have the appearance of
having been produced by a bullet . The bullet struck the can
on an upward angle of approximately twenty-one degrees.
You are being separately advised regarding the
results of the requested latent fingerprint examinations and
a* to the disposition of the "Also Submitted" items.
Specimens Q1 through Q3 a re being returned to
your office under separate cover by registered nail.
Page 2 '
PC-111239 QY
f' ^ ^ -0 S sj * £>£
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10
^ MAY 1902, EDITION
«■ GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.8 .
UNITED STATES^
ft
VERNMENT
ft
Memorandum
TO
Director, FBI (157-29508)
date: 9/15/75
FROM
/ Minneapolis (157^2417) (RUC )-
subject:
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
EM - AIM'
00: LV
ReMPairtel and LHM dated 3/18/75,
Enclosed for the Bureau are five copies*- Of
above captioned and dated 1HM and enclosed for Las Vegas
are two copies of above LHM for information and lead
purposes.
; DIM delayed, due to Agent’s assignment to
RESMURS . Special.
Minneapolis intends to transfer origin to
Las Vegas by separate FD- 128,
T-
I :i
QL
Identity of RIP T-l is
f
S A ERIC L. MEALE, FBI, provided information on<^"^
subject’s charges, bond, his release from custody and current
residence on 7/18/75,
LEAD
LAS VEGAS DIVISION
AT LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
REC.
45
&
In.view of subject’s recent violent activities
and use of firearms, it is recommended that Las Vegas
consider subject for inclusion in ADEX, f* 5 ** 5 *? jr*#* .
* ?•'“ : V,.
SEP 251975 :
KEnClo^iires 5) (RM)^ ‘ ■ '
, V X--IAS Vegks (157-1265) (1-70-719) (Enclosures 2) (RM)
. ■' \ ^ Buy V.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on ay roll Savings Plan
i i
b7D
j
r ; v ■ ■
In Reply , Please Refer to
File No.
j* ; * ■■
NITED STATES DEPARTMENT^ F JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Minneapolis, Minnesota
September 19, 1975
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
A characterization of the American Indian
Movement (AIM) is set forth in an appendix page,
attached hereto.
An article entitled "News Media Hit On
Fairchild", which appeared in the April, 1975 edition
of the Indian newspaper "Wassaja", a monthly publi-
cation of general circulation, printed in San Francisco,
California, Quoted John Trudell, National Chairman of
the AIM, as saying that AIM wanted to seek "some ob-
jective journalism" but did not. The article advised
that Trudell stated that the incident concerning the
assault of a newsman by an. AIM member at the Fairchild
Plant in Shiprock,. New Mexico, was unfortunate, but
felt, that news reports describing the incident were
unfair. The article advised that Trudell claimed that
the real reason behind the takeover of the Fairchild
Plant was its "exploitation of the Navajo people,"
On June 3, 1975,
Agency
Special Officer, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Shiprock,
New Mex ico, advised that N avajo Tribal Police lieutenant
Colonel | | met with AIM leader John Trudell
and several other Indians at Window Rock, New Mexico, to
make arrangements with the Navajo Tribal Council to obtain
the local fairgrounds for the 1975 AIM National Convention.
During June 10 through 21, 1975, Trudell was.
in Klamath Falls, Oregon to "help" a local hereditary
Indian chief get his land from the Federal Government.
b6
b7C
MP T-l
February 5, 1975
v.V
y /■ - ' '
r ^ySr'cy:#' i*\.
JOHN FRANC IS TRUDELL
f '■ ■■'■■■ v /.: On - juiy 18,; 1975 , c apt lone d article., y;v/ •
;^‘^giire' : Arrested -In ' Oah; ;.Battie.'t appeared in the ’Sti-^V ;•:•<- .
B^ul> -Minne^ta.;.Dispatc|i M ',;: a published daily, of* tt; -/ •/' . t.
‘''''general c ircuiatidri and 5 advised that John Tfudejl- <-., .;,/>■
i :l--f': :; V'\ ; :'^engaged in a gun battle between Federal agents , 8M / , v.
. local; Elko,, and Qwyhbe, .Nevada authorities . .
Thb ar ticle advised ;'t hat; Trade 11 was described, as-; vv v ,v- r
- acting head of AIM and was, taken into custody af ter
yj.-: ■■ -feijs' - 'fibiise was surrounded on Duck Valley Indian Re ser-
yation,; Duck -.Valiev & Nevada./ located five;. miles 'south .-,
i/.,-:..--: ,,;>;of . the-. Idahb border,.'; -vkv -''"V • . •. \ v v- V
:£v> f: t. ' bn July '18, .197 an authorized complaint • .
- was 11160 by Special Agent, of the FBI before U.S,
- Magistrate 'lack Ames , : Elko,; Nevada, charging John ' -,' v
V: -. Francis Trudell with ; vlolat ion Of Title 18, U-,S;. ..Code,,;
: : Section 1152 (ASsault fith A Deadly Weapon) . ; ; .,
''ttt,.; Tr udell was released on $10, 000 /bond . bn t
. July 19, 1975; It was deter mined, by a Special Agent
of file FBI that following Trudell’s release -from custody,
//the; returned to the .Duck -.Valley Indian Reservation, near
t owyhbe, Nevada and/is /presently residing there , ,
' '•*. . -V ;'-t : '•'./• ' Special Agent ot. the -FBI" /',:
v rV't'X. •• ' July 18/ 1975 ■ /t' ; v- -v-v..
On July - 22:,/ 1975 , 1 i
^advised that on July 17 197 5 / Tr Udell , was ; . ■
arrested at hi& home bn tie Ducg Valley lndiah.:'Reservation, ; .
Owyhee, Nbvada by DlA/Of f icers, for allegedly 5 assaulting tl
■proprietor- ipf •■-the" 'local' trading post on the. Duck, Valley:.; _
Indian -Reservation.. Tttidell : is alleged to have ussd a
plS.tol : ;ih' assauiting the .-Owner •and he was arraigned before
the U ; ; 9. ;'Ma-gIs;tra te ; . ip.'-'E Ikp on. July - 18, 1975;, oil Federal': ;
assault ..charges,; 'V/ . //-\v/-r
-i V i<f ;
further advised that the weapon
" .time; of Ibis surrender, ”y ';-
a U. S. .-■;'*-3:0:' caliber ! j|~i carbine, serial husaber:.; r .' : -V^; ; Vv- ';Av.'
■;■? £y i:&£* ^Vvl >3 j 6760 : . - ,' .He; advised th^^rbt^ll'Was 'also in possession - -.'.'l-
for 'this weapon/ while 'barricaded
.residence;. 'V ' X- ', *' r ' ■'* >• ••■
:■• r XX /: ■. ' > >. . ••'•' v 'Officer I I orovi*
. b6
: . b7C*
Officer
xy. .IV. ; ,pf ' -Trudeli; T-
provided 'the', following, .description."
**■ / A •
■ ‘ t
* V .< . 1
.-X;, .
-XXXx Hex
< : ^;.v v kace.
■i'v ' Hat i oh;a : .|i ty ;. ;.’ ’ • .
Ma le ... - ,
Indian
American
. ■ : X“X '* yy y • - i.y‘iDate .- ' February 15, 1946 ■■■■:' jV'Jxy : y; : ;
’ v 'Cj \y. X ;• V .'' *•.? Pfc Pliee Of i^r th' ' Omaha, Nebraska 1 '; • ••
Weight;;/'\.. 15 0. - pounds ■
■ CXX • '-.’ ~y •• .i “> 'X'-X-Xi-h Hair \yjXXX, - y y!\ : ' Black, "• long'
517?
y. Eyes
'Build
Brown
kyXy-iVx siim-’;. y„. .yyryy-.y. :;.
;;.y>;’ v V;-;!. light:;-. : '*y ■'•' yy yy ; y
Sdarslahd.^ Eagle tattoo, left..; ;
f orbarm ; word ’'Indian "
t •-*£ V.jf < - ' tattooed ' to. upper. ;r.ightv’'arm :
• yjC ,0c c upat ion.;:; ' ; ;; «•' ■■'■'Unemployed. ‘Hx! '• V:-y' y;
y-y ^.I^ibal^af. filiation' Santee Siouk . •; } v l- ;y ky-J f ly • "
f ! ; ; Married- ■
- Xf-xX-' :y% .-S-"- rf.;
•' , yl y ' : •
.* i >•
v 4.
APPENDIX
AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT
A source advised on May 22, 1975, that \
the American Indian Movement (AIM) was formed in 1958 \
at Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a civil rights organization
with stated goals to secure Indian self-determination and
to eliminate the destructive tendencies of Christianity,
white oriented education and the federal government from
Indian life, along with the yoke of the Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA).
All AIM chapters, leaders and members are
not considered violent-prone; however, AIM members led
by various violent-prone leaders have participated in
the takeover of the BIA Build ing* Washington, D.C.,
in November, 1972, and participated in confrontations
with local authorities which resulted in violence at
Scottsbluff, Nebraska; the Rapid City - Custer area of
South Dakota; the Occupation of Wounded Rnee, South Dakota,
by force of arms from February 27, 1973, through May 8, 1973.
Since that time AIM leaders, members and supporters have
also been involved in numerous confrontations with local
and federal authorities, including the killing of a deputy
sheriff in Arizona, the severe beating of two police
officers in South Dakota, and extensively damaging a county
courthouse at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Other incidents
which AIM has been a party to included the takeover of the
Alexian Brothers Novitiate, Gresham, Wisconsin, the Fairchild
Plant, Shiprock, New Mexico, and a Pork Plant in Wagner,
South Dakota, all occurring in early 1975.
FD-128 (Rev. 3-12-74)
oPTioi^rc?fo«M no. io
GSA G«n: REG. NO. 27
t
JWK’E
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum
#
T(> ' Director, FBI (Bufile - 157—29508
) ' DATE: 9/23/75
from.J^Uc; MINNEAPOLIS (157-2417) (RUC)
subject: JOHN FRANCISTRUDELL
EM - AIM
Re Minneapolis • LHM "to Bureau, dated 9/15/75.
v The captioned individual has been the subject of a security or extremist investigation by this office. The
T.A5? VEGAS - Division has verified the permanent presence of the subject in its division
. ^ u t AC
as residing and working at the addresses listed below. Thp.. v : Division is
being considered the new Office of Origin. ■
Business Address, Name' of Employing Concern and Address,
Nature of Employment, and Union Affiliation, if any.
I 'Residence address
Duck Valley Indian Reservation
Elko, Nevada
Assignment Number 1510
Key Facility Data
Geographical Reference Number :
Identification Division Data
Check OR note the following applicable statements:
I I A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUSI
. Responsibility
I 1, A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUSLY placed in FBI # ; therefore, copy of this form is^
designated for Identification Division.
I | A security flash on subject has been PREVIOUSLY placed in Identification Division; however, FBI number is NOT KNOWH.-
The following information, therefore, is being furnished and a copy of this form is designated for Identification Division.
Date and Place of Birth:
Other Identifying Numbers:
Fingerprint Classification:
NOTE- Bo NOT designate COPY of FD-128 for Identification Division if FD-165 previously RETURNED to field^office
because no fingerprints located on subject.
Check the following applicable statements:
| ] This individual is the subject of an ADEX Card. (The Bureau is requested to make the appropriate changes in the ADEX at
FRfHQ. The , Division should affix the addressees
indicated above and the appropriate case file number.) r y
I I Subject is designated a Key Black Extremist. / /
PH Subject is designated a Key Activist. / /
t 1 Handwriting specimens have been furnished to the Bureau. / /
F 1 A photograph has been furnished-to the Bureau. N. ^ /
f~~1 Subject is included in the Extremist Photograph Album (EPA). The new Office ok^ ^^^«^*<uErnit a new complete
FD-432 showing the new address and Office of Origin of subject.
i I Disseminatipnjoaade S^i^LServic^locaUy re .above information. (Two copies of FD-366 enclosed for the Bureau)
1
The following pertinent items are being forwarded to the new, Office of Oriqin with its copies of this letter:
| | Adex Cards * CZ) Photograph of subject f check appropriate item listed below)
[XT Serials ( specify ) (See Page 2) * □ Negative and three copies of most recent or best likeness
I | Designated Office of Origin in receipt of all pertinent serials photograph
I I 2 copies of FD-366 (1 copy for dissemination □ None available
to loc {^Secret Service) • ‘ - □ Previ ously fu r nished ' *, ^ J
|CLs Vegas (157-1265) (Enc. 18WRM) . . _ .
1-Minneapolis . SEP 30 1975
RKT:kh44( .1
V «Ja£i ' ,••■-•'>'.•••
MP (157-2417)
: The following serials are provided to Las Vegas
11 newspaper, articles ; >'">
' f D-306 , dated . 2/13/74 ; 7
Albany letter to Minneapolis, dated 11/15/74
’ . . Oklahoma City LHM td Albany , dated 2 / 27/7 5 ; •;
• "Albany letter to Minneapolis, dated 4/8/75.
- V-2*-,
MAILED 6
1-336 (Rev. 7-16-73)
* C*'
tfv/o <‘Y\
pMjXU
T &\ p ^ <^y£f
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTj^TION
, W . Washington, D. C. '20537
REPORT
YOUR FILE NO.
FBI FILE NO. k
LATENT CASE NO.
’ t£
of the
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION
LATENT FINGERPRINT SECTION
.e no. , 70*719 •
NO. .
CASE NO.' B-I 7 IO 5
SAC, Las Yogas
October 3, 1975
O :
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Assoc. Dir.'
Dep. AD Adm.
Dep. AD Inv.'.
Asst. Dir.:
Admin.
Comp. Syst. __
Ext. Affairs —
F iles & Cbm.
Gen. Inv. — __
Ident. .
Inspection
Intell.
Laboratory —
Legal Coun; _
I Plan. & Eval.
Spec. Inv.^-J
Training 1
Telephone Rm.
Director Sec’y
REFERENCE: Letter 8*15*75
EXAMINATION REQUESTED BY: Veg£&
specimens: • : Forty torn pieces of credit receipts
, ■ Fingerprints of John Francis Trudell*
FBI #2317$tF,
Specimens examined and three latent finger*
prints and two latent palm prints of value developed
on four pieces of credit receipts*
See attached page for result of one latent
fingerprint comparison*
Two latent fingerprints not identical finger*
prints Trudell. Ho palm prints avanableL.here for this, ,
individual. ,REC
Specimens enclosed* ’-A' ^ ", '
tt :cii'
/ Laboratory report being furnished separately
lac, (Li) _
9
« OCrATH^’
- / > >' xj
— MAIL ROOM I Ur
Clarence M. Kelley, Director
IIS REPORT IS FURNISHED FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
TELETYPE UNIT L_J
Your File Mo. 70-719 October 3, 1975
Latent Case Ho. B-1710?
BBs JOHH FRAHCIS TBUffiLL, FBI #231789?
k latent fingerprint developed on a torn piece
of credit receipt bearing writing “coffee,” has been
identified as an Impression of the right middle finger
of Yradell.
RECORDED
S/25/75
csl
LATE NTS
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Laboratory Work Sheet
Recorded 8/28/75 8:30 a.m. vml
To: SAC, Las Vegas (70 719)
Received 8/28/75
FBI FILE NO. 70-
Re: JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL;
CIR - ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON;
EM - AIM
00: Las Vegas
LAB. NO.
YOUR NO.
PC -Ml 239 QY
LC # B- 17.10 5
Examination by: f
Examination requested by: LclS V£?g£tS
. , ft y
Reference:
Letter 8/15/75
Examination requested: Firearms - Fingerprint Noted By:
Specimens received: 8/
Bullet
Cartridge case
Empty Hawaiian Punch can
Iso Submitted: Package of torn cx'edit receipts
J Fingerprint card of JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELI
— . Orf) FB£-
a >’
t* —
- "61
Examination completed /§-w — — - — fy
Dictated
0-/a (Rev. '1-1-9S67) . jf .
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVES
^WASHINGTON, D. Cf 20535
DATE; 8 " 10/10/75
SAC, Las Yegas
<70-719)
pTION
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
CIS - ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON;
EM - AIM
_ Invoice of Contents .
[ 1 Crypt.-Trans.
r~1 Document
• Radio Engineering
. 3lfps ]
7 15 3 .
Mali Room^'sho JS^SIiSiTBREDidMAlLv number. X D '
Shipping Room: Snow shipment d ate; bill o t' lading number;
initial invoice; return’ to Seiction^checketMn block; after
initialing in block, invoice to be pl^ded in administrative file.
FBI File No.
10/10/75
157-29508
PC-M1239 QY
Routing Slip,
FD-tfRev. 12-22JSST)
To: [Xl Director
□ sac :
□ ASAC
□ Supv.
□ Agent
□ SE
□ IC
□ cc
I | Steno
□ Clerk
I I Acknowledge
I 1 Assign _ Reassign
I ] Bring file
I | Call me
I | Correct
I | Deadline
I | Deadline passed
I | Delinquent
| I Discontinue
| | Expedite
□ File
| | For information
□ Handle
| 1 Initial & return
FILE
j Date 10/31/75 .
LV 70-719
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
CRIME ON INDIAN RESERVA-
TION - ASSAULT WITH A
DEADLY WEAPON; EXTREMIS!
MATTERS - AMERICAN
INDIAN MOVEMENT
Report of SA ERIC L. _
MEALE, 10/29/75, at Las
Vegas .
□ Rotor #:
ACTION DESIRED
I I Open Cose
[~~| Prepore lead cards
□ Prepare tickler
| | Return assignment card
[^ Return file
□) Search and return
□ See me
□ Serial #
□ Post | | Recharge
| | Send to
j | S ubmit new charge out^
[ | Submit report by
□ Type
| | Leads need attention
| | Return with explanation or notation as to action taken. J
Please remove FD-204 in referential
and insert the attached amended FD-204.
port
; - Ofbi:
See reverse side
☆ GPO ; 1971 421-419
F B I
FD-l&XRev. 5t2*.-64)
9
Transmit the following in
Via AIRTEL
Date: 10/28/75
(Type in plaintext or code)
AIR MAIL
(Priority)
TO: DIRECTOR, BUREAU
FROM: SAC, LAS VEG^S (70-719) (P)
SUBJ: JOHN FRANCES TRUDELL
CRIME ON AN INDIAN RESERVATION -
ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON
EXTREMIST MATTER - AIM
00: Las Vegas
Re report of SA ERIC L. MEALE 8/11/75, LV.
Subject appeared U. S. District Court, Reno, Nevada,
on 10/17/75 concerning a hearing on motion filed by subject.
The main motion being that matter be transferred from Federal
Court to Tribal Court, Duck Valley, Indian Reservation, Owyhee,
Nevada, so subject could be tried by his peers.
Court advised subject matter would be transferred to
Elko, Nevada, for trial as Federal Court can be held in Elko
and subject declined to accept, claiming could not get fair
trial in either Elko or Reno, Nevada.
Subject told court that court has already determined )
his guilt and subject would not appear for trial. Subject J
advised court he would not fight but would not appear and would i
be necessary for U. S. Marshall to come get him at residence on ®
Duck Valley Indian Reservation.
I 1 AIM Sympathiser, from Los Angeles,
California, contacted subject's attorney in courtroom and
requested attorney to j|dvise court to revoke subject's bond,
Bureau
'1-Minneapolis
3- Las Vegas
(1-157-1265)
ELM: sm (6)
REC 12
A MAW O
Wf "' 3 1975
Ap W?$Ui rd
secial^Agent in Charge
U.S. Government Printing Office: 1972 — 455-574
LV 70-719
which attorney did and court refused, stating no one from
bonding company had made requests to withdraw bond.
Courtroom completely filled with American Indians,
two busloads having travelldd to Reno, Nevada, from California.
No demonstration at Reno, Nevada.
Subject held TV and press conferences after completion
of hearing making same statements to TV and press as made in
courtroom.
Above being furnished, for information.
ARMED AND DANGEROUS
:-'M
*
,**■.
.‘«s5 y , '•.'•• A'^ifr^ V ■ ,. : r ..'.'
s,^'’ «.’:>;■
Succinct Resume: . ' •••: *-•?;>• y :: ;'. ; • . - : r -.-••; VY /;V'j
, •*. • ; ' ;; Subject is co-chairman d f the American Indian v
Movement (AIM); He was one of the original participants in
the takeover of Alcatraz Island by American Islands in 1969.
He hhs travelled, throughout the United States making i ?
speeches for the American Indian Movement (AIM); He has
expressed peaceful views in obtaining AIM objectives, but
on occasions has. advocated violence. In February , 1975, \
subject participated in the -Indian takeover of the Fairchild,
Corporatioh, Shiprock* * New Mexico. ’ In July, 1975, subject. •
was arrested on assault charges at Owyhee, Nevada. He was
charged with firing a ^gunshot in direction of the proprietor
after an argument with the proprietor over food prices and
hiS/, charge -account.-' ’ -'1 . ■
Recotnmendat ion i ~ - y ' yy;
- It is recommended that due to the above information,
subject: be; considered fopr ihclusion on ADEX. : ’
;,J V
* V*
V
FD-263 (Rev! 1-7-72)
GG * »■' . $ ■
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
REPORTING OFFICE gi OFFICE OF ORIGIN
LAS VEGAS _ LAS VEGAS
TITLE OF CASE ~ ~
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
DATE INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD '
12/3/75 10/24/7 5 - 11/20/75
REPORT MADE BY TYPED BY
- SA ERIC L. MEALE dsc
CHARACTER OF CASE
5??
sg
SIR - ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY
WEAPON; EXTREMIST !IATTERS -
AIM
REFERENCES:
Report of SA ERIC L. MEALE, dated 8/1/75, and
10/29/75, at Las Vegas.
- C -
ENCLOSURE TO THE BUREAU:
Enclosed for the Bureau is one disposition sheet if #
for JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL. 1 /
ADMINISTRATIVE: • J
Two copies of- this report are being furnished to
the Minneapolis Division to be/forwarded to Rapid City,
inasmuch as the subject is a known member of AIM.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS CLAIMED
CONVIC 1 . FUG.
APPROVED
^MeSMADE:
iijnunc ACQUIT- CASE H AS BEEN:
RECOVERIES I TALS I
: PENDING OVER ONE YEAR ^YES I InO
PENDING PROSECUTION
O VER SIX MON THS □ Y ES PH NO
SPECIAL AGENT
IN CHARGE
DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW
5/- Bureau l) _
1 - USA, Las Vegas (Attn: AUSA, Reno)
2 - Minneapolis (Info)
2 - Las Vegas
(1 - 70-719)
Is -/ " an
MSDt-
SGrEC 8.
y — 7 VX
jW '
DEC 8
n;t-i » y
* * > .jOL-.L
Agehc-y
1
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itetjtJfstSecd.,
> - 1
1 • ,
: :
Date Fwd. >.
/
cGtj'
r
How Fwd. t _
/
^ ^
4JUT2E$!&t
l
By ■ %)
rmc^
—
Notations
'f CEHC & US,-,'
- A* -
COVER PAGE
J *«£
d»-
FD-^204 (Rev. 3 3-5 9)
UNITED STATES DEPjARTf^ENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Copy to:
1 - USA, Las Vegas (Attn: AUSA Rdiib, Nevada)
Report of:
Date:
Field Office File #:
SA ERIC L. MEALE
12/3/75
70-719
Office: Las Vegas, Nevada
Bureau File #:
JOHN FRANCIS TRUDELL
Character:
Synopsis:
CRIME ON INDIAN RESERVATION - ASSAULT WITH A
DEADLY WEAPON; EXTREMIST MATTERS - AMERICAN
INDIAN MOVEMENT
Information filed U. S. District Court, Reno,
Nevada, on August 7, 1975, dismissed in U. S.
District Court on 11/6/75, as subject is not an Indian.
DETAILS:
On October 2A, 1975, the subject and his attorney-
appeared in U. S. District Court, Reno, Nevada, to argue
motions concerning the information filed against the subject
in U. S. District Court, Reno, on August 7, 1975.
At this time, the Court denied all of the motions
filed on behalf of the subject and the subject made the
statement in open court that this Federal Court had already
determined the subject's guilt, prior to this matter going
to trial.
Asaa resultsof investigation conducted by the
Bureau of Indian Affairs concerning the subject, it was
determined that the subject is not an Indian, he is not
a member of the Sante Sioux tribe, and is not listed bn
the rolls of this tribe as an Indian.
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents
are not to be distributed outside your agency.
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1970 O - 406-840
•'•V' ~r • •• *s
. . " v . ** . «7 /r^>.-sr* v ■*•«,;• ><\ ■ •;»
* •“ • ;■; * ; ..-.? s vs» ‘ 5
^ ' : •• * : Z& " ''■*:■ • '••':• '• M^-vC M ?v. ■; • •••■?: V ■ ; :«>v
'*< ‘ -:£'Cv '. *%'*/; *
'4 ; -v;>: -i-g. •■> f '. • .- ': ,J:- ■ .,- .'."•••• ;
phject, ^father was; a Ca^asiah, and ^is mother :is' a
•. -•;■ i.v. v ’ ■ V.’icV*' ..-*' * .• ' ..- .' ;v^-. . ••.;**V£ f.ti'.< • ^4 • ..:•/’ *. J.- ".- • - • • '•* >‘V;'
— - v^f s dete^ihedv ,.;that ; the subject was -hot \ - '
an Indian, -bhe ;^ had been filed agairist -
ect : xu .Hu ;S ; s t^t, ^u^v ;Reh6 , Nevada*, to • Y
■i - ^ n - U«. . P^stricttkGourt ''-■ Reno. ori 'November. :; i6'i -
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10
JULY 1373 EOlTION
GSA FPMR (At CFRI 101-11. 6
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum
TO ; : DIRECTOR, FBI (157-29508)
radff : SAC, LAS VEGAS (157-1265) (C)
date: 2/19/76
subject: john fRANCIS/TRUDELL
EM - AIM
00: Las Vegas
Re Las Vegas FD- 122 dated 10/31/75, and Bureau
"R/S dated 1/19/76.
In that the Adex program has been discontinued
this case is being closed at Las Vegas. There are no
outstanding leads and subject's activities will be covered
by sources and_ public source information.
/ <
r —
FEB 23 1976
2J- Bureau
1 - Las Vegas
LES:cae
£L-
Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan
' l
h'-rtf
A:
i.
£B 1 : - S97S ' •/!'
‘!.x>;.\; VS>*!. ... ..'
09415 WSH
WU WSH
TLXA233
FEDERA& QOVERQBjgf
WAD26SU4lb>d-016547CU45>PD 02/14/79 1415
ICS 1PMUAVA WSH
11020 GOVT BUWaSHINGTON DC 115 02-14 1 56P EST
PKS ■ WILLI AM WEBSTER DIRECTOR
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
WASHINGTON DC
DEAR MR WEBSTER: ' v '
ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11# 1979 THE LEONARD PELTIER' DEFENSE
COMMITTEE STAGED A DEMONSTRATION IN WASHINGTON THAT
■INCLUDED THE BURNING OF AN AMERICAN FLAG. SUBSEQUENT
’ Q
TO THE DEMONSTRrtTlON# THE HOME OF JOHN TRUDELL# LOCATED
IN OWYHEE# NEVADA# CAUGHT FIRE UNDER SUSPICIOUS .
CIRCUMSTANCES CAUSING THE DEATHS OF HIS FOUR CHILDREN#
MOTHER-IN-LAW AND HIS WIFE TINA# A HEAD ORGANIZER ON THE
RESERVATION. . 01425. REC-80 7 '
. t . (
.AS NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT#
«rr m
26
jes it
A-fcui !3i UUo
■*S3
T
\
•" _ . x.
MR TRUDaLL WAS ONE CF THE ORGANIZERS 0F S THE L? r )C PROTEST.
DUE TO THIS CIRCUMSTANCE# I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THa NEVADA
FIRE DESERVES YOUR IMMEDIATE AND THOROUGH INVESTIGATION.
PLEASE REPORT TO ME Ai> sOCN AS POSSIBLE REGARDING THE
STATUS OF THIS MATTER.
SINCERELY#
RONALD V DELLUMS MEMBER OF CONGRESS
NNNN
1E27A EST FEB IS
♦
E9415 WSH
Honorable Ronald V. Delluns
House of Representatives
. Washington , D. C. 20515
Dear Congressman Dellums :
#
February 16, 1979
Mr .|
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
I
b6
b7C
1 -
1 Office 'of Congressional
Affairs
This is to acknowledge receipt of your telegram
datgtpFebruary lh t 1979, concerning the fire at
John Tr u dell f :sV home resulting in the tragic deaths of his
imroedlatefamily .
The initial investigation was conducted by Bureau
of Indian Affairs officers who indicated no arson was
Involved. At the request of the United States Attorney* s
office in Nevada, the Nevada State Fire Marshal’s office
began an investigation on February 13, 1979, which is
continuing. Their preliminary findings indicate the fire
was accidental; however, they are not eliminating the
possibility of arson at this time.
■ • . <
Please be assured that if it is determined the
cause of this fire was arson, we will immediately Institute
an investigation.
Sincerely yours,
William H. Webster,
gt-USa
William H. Uebster
fDii+q^or
U •• ^ ;
\ "J;
* i • >
|I:S ff) <?; f ; * • [f|
:A0
VI Ci
FEB 26 197?
SEE NOTE PAGE 2
♦
». Honorable Ronald V. Dellums
A.
NOTE : This is In response to a' telegram from Congressman
Dellums of California wherein he indicated that the home
of John Truadell -caught fire under suspicious circumstances
causing the deaths of his immediate family during the early
•morning hours of February 13 , 1979 . Congressman Dellums
indicated .that Mr. Trua*dell was one of the organizers of
the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee which staged a
demonstration in Washington, D. C., this past weekend.
Congressman Dellums. indicated that the FBI .should investigate
the aforementioned fire.. The information in this letter was
provided by ASAC Decker of Las Vegas. •
■
x 1
APPROVED';
Director
Dir.)
^ Dep. ADA ^
Dep. AD Inv
Adm. Se*v.
Ctim. tnv.
idert.
l:V.e I.
— i ski.-C-tory
L e??,a! Doun.
p’r.n, ft lnsp. _
Pec.
Tech. $ervs.___
Tt
Pubiis A'is-. CW'f-
2
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. . / i— y. . 0 a— a < > .*. y * n y . . . . y ~~ . _ 0^ ^ / y /
dAuA^nu
V
i
June 18, 1979
Mew York
(!,^f ■//
Dear Ms.
Your recent letter to the President expressing
your views concerning the fire at the home of John^Tru dell_
earlier this year was referred to the FBI where it was - ,
received on May 25th.
For your information, the initial investigation
into this tragedy was conducted by Bureau of Indian Affairs '
officers who indicated no arson was involved. At the request
of the United States Attorney*s Office in Nevada, the Nevada
State Fire Marshal's Office began an investigation into
this matter on February 13, 1979, and that office subsequently
ruled that the fire was accidental. Hence, no FBI investi-
gation was conducted.
| Sincerely your^f-103
DE-28
REC-8 /5 a 5( -U
Assoc. Dir.
Dep. AD Adm. _
Dep. AD Inv. —
Asst. Dir.:
Adm. Servs
Crim; Inv.
Ident.
Intel!
Laboratory
Legal Coun. —
Plan. & Insp. —
Rec. Mgnt.
Tech. Servs. —
Training
Public Affs. Off.
J’elephone Rm. _
Director's Sec'y .
»j William fh. Bailey - — — —
\ Assistant Director M-Jh
I ^ a JUN 19 1979
Is - Las Vegas - Enclosure
1 ReBucal 6/4/79. ‘
NOTE: Correspondent refers to a fire 2/13/79 which took
the lives of Trudell's wife, four children andjimo'ther- in-
law. (157-29 508) . Reply coordinated with Special Agent
| | General Government Crimes Unit, Personal and
property Crimes Section, CID. ' ,
MHB:jmh (4) ; >
^m/l room
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